《High Martial Arts: Unmatched in Reality - Ascending Beyond the Game》 Ch-1:Yogan, Do You Know How to Play Games? The sun blazed in the sky, and the hot wind swept across the land. The massive training ground was lined with dense willow trees, their shadows providing slight relief to the boys and girls practicing under them. Each movement followed a specific breathing rhythm. With every breath, faint light seemed to ripple across their bodies, but it would flash away in an instant, leaving only a fleeting impression. "Ugh, I failed again." "This basic breathing method is too hard to master..." Disappointment and frustration were etched on the faces of many students as they opened their eyes. Beneath their sighs, a deep helplessness lingered. After exchanging discouraged glances, their eyes naturally turned toward the three figures sitting at the front of the group. The trio¡ªa burly boy, a slender boy, and a girl¡ªradiated faint light that didn''t dissipate even with the passage of time. Their calm control over the breathing technique was a stark contrast to the struggles of their peers. The girl wore a light blue martial arts uniform, her long ponytail resting elegantly on her shoulder. Her pale skin glowed softly in the filtered sunlight, and her delicate features made her stand out. But as three minutes passed, a frown marred her face, and the faint light surrounding her slowly faded. With visible fatigue, she opened her eyes. Turning her head, she saw the burly boy beside her open his eyes at the same time. They exchanged glances, both seeing the same unwilling determination reflected in each other''s gaze. "Three minutes... still not enough," she murmured, her voice laced with frustration. Clenching her right hand tightly, she didn''t care that her nails dug into her palm. "Yogan, I won''t lose to you!" thought the burly boy silently, his teeth gritting as he stared at the third figure ahead. At the forefront of the group, Yogan sat cross-legged. His calm face showed no signs of strain, even as the strong light flowing over his body continued to shine steadily. Five minutes passed before Yogan opened his eyes. A faint dissatisfaction flickered across his face. "The basic breathing method promoted by the Ministry of Education is simple and easy to learn, but that''s also its greatest flaw¡ªit''s too generic," Yogan thought, silently critiquing the technique. If he wanted to become a first-class warrior and gain admission to a prestigious martial arts university, he would have to work twice as hard. Compared to second-generation warriors and officials, who had abundant resources at their disposal, the gap between them was immense. "Yogan, how do you do it?" the burly boy, Mitchell, asked with genuine curiosity, breaking Yogan''s train of thought. "You lasted eight minutes and didn''t look tired at all!" Mitchell''s sincerity was evident, and even the girl, Lara, leaned in slightly, pretending not to listen while clearly paying attention.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Yogan smiled faintly. "Let me ask you this first: what do our teachers usually emphasize during practice?" Mitchell scratched his head, thinking hard before answering. "They always say the key to mastering the breathing method is the word ''quiet.'' Abandon distractions, empty your mind, and focus on your breathing and body." "Alright, but what''s your personal understanding of it?" Yogan asked, his tone calm. "My own understanding?" Mitchell looked confused. He had always followed the teacher''s instructions to the letter, never questioning them. Why would he need his own interpretation? Despite his confusion, Mitchell remained humble. "Yogan, just tell me¡ªhow did you manage it?" Lara''s eyes narrowed slightly as she moved closer. She could sense that Yogan was about to reveal something important. "My method might not work for you," Yogan began, his voice steady, "but I''ll share it anyway." He noticed Lara''s subtle movements but paid them no mind. "In my opinion, ''quiet'' doesn''t mean sitting still, and abandoning distractions doesn''t mean thinking about nothing." He paused before continuing, "Instead of emptying yourself, immerse yourself." "Immerse myself? What does that even mean?" Mitchell asked, clearly puzzled. Lara clenched her fists tighter. She could feel the gap between her abilities and Yogan''s widening with each passing moment. "Let me give you a simple example. Do you play online games?" Yogan asked casually. "No," Mitchell admitted. "My parents don''t let me." "Then it''ll be harder for you to understand," Yogan said with a shrug. "When you play a game and become completely immersed, time, space, and everything around you fade away. All that matters is the game. You''re fully focused on it, and nothing else can affect you. That''s the feeling you need to aim for." Before Yogan could elaborate, Mitchell''s eyes lit up with understanding. "I get it now! Yogan, I believe you. Tonight, I''ll convince my dad to let me go to the Internet caf¨¦ downstairs. I''ll spend the whole night there and try to find the feeling you''re talking about!" Yogan nodded approvingly. "A teachable student," he thought to himself. When the training session ended, Mitchell packed his things in a rush and sprinted home, eager to put Yogan''s advice into practice. Meanwhile, Lara walked beside Yogan as they headed home. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her lips curled into a faint smirk. "Was it really necessary to tease him like that?" she asked. "I wasn''t teasing him," Yogan replied, his tone serious. "I shared my personal experience. Everyone has their own path and method. He asked sincerely, so I couldn''t withhold what I know. Whether he succeeds or not is up to him." "Heh, the genius from the Qianlong Training Camp speaks differently," Lara said with a hint of sarcasm, though her envy was palpable. The Qianlong Training Camp was the pinnacle of martial arts training in Daxia. Only the most gifted students from across the region were invited to participate. During the summer after their high school entrance exams, Yogan had been selected to attend the camp hosted by the Southeast War Zone. "Don''t bring up the past," Yogan said, waving his hand dismissively. He seemed uninterested in the topic. "But those who complete the training camp are usually guaranteed spots in prestigious universities. Why did you¡ª" Yogan''s calm gaze cut her off mid-sentence. "Forget it," Lara said quickly, forcing a smile. "I won''t ask." Their conversation was interrupted by excited chatter nearby. "Check out the headlines! The first second-grade warrior under 16 in the Southeast War Zone has been announced!" "No way! Sixteen years old and already a second-grade warrior? Is that even possible?" "Of course it''s true. The official announcement just came out!" The students around them erupted in astonishment, their disbelief quickly giving way to admiration. As the news spread, it was like a bomb had been dropped into a still lake, causing waves of excitement and envy among the crowd. Far away, in the deepest reaches of the starry sky, Yogan sat in silent meditation. He had just defeated the final boss in Alien Doomsday, the mysterious game he had been transported into. Slowly, he opened his eyes. "Those who dare to offend the human race," he muttered, his voice calm but resolute, "will face punishment¡ªno matter how far they are." Ch-2:Welcome to the End of the Alien Beasts Yogan was a student at the best martial arts high school in Linhai City¡ªLinhai No. 1 Middle School. At just 16 years old and in his second year of high school, Yogan''s progress in martial arts was unmatched among his peers. However, despite his rapid advancements, his current martial arts strength, reliant on the basic breathing method, had yet to push him into the ranks of a first-grade warrior. For now, he was a high-level martial arts apprentice, and while his progress was impressive, there was still a considerable gap between him and the truly elite martial artists. The most talented senior in the third year of high school, it was rumored, had only recently broken through the sixth level of first-grade martial arts. To achieve second-grade martial arts at Yogan''s age would have been nothing short of legendary. This was why Lara, his classmate and self-proclaimed rival, was deeply shaken when she heard a startling piece of news. A girl of the same age had already achieved second-grade martial arts. Lara, who had always regarded Yogan as her biggest competitor, felt as though she''d been struck by lightning. The revelation left her breathless. She quickly pulled out her phone, determined to find out more. "Ye Xinghe, second-grade warrior, Guangning No. 1 Middle School, recommended to Kyoto Shengwu University, participated in the Qianlong Training Camp¡­" Lara read aloud as she scrolled through her phone. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her disbelief. "Qianlong Training Camp¡­ Yogan, do you know her?" Lara asked, holding up her phone. On the screen was a girl with a cold, stoic expression. Even through the digital image, her eyes shone with a piercing sharpness, like a blade ready to strike. Yogan glanced at the screen and nodded nonchalantly. "Yeah, I know her." Not only did he know her, but he was also quite familiar with her abilities. Ye Xinghe wasn''t just a second-grade warrior; she was also a sword cultivator¡ªone of the most formidable in the entire region. "Then why don''t you look surprised? Doesn''t this news bother you at all?" Lara pressed, her brows furrowing in frustration. She had expected Yogan to show some reaction¡ªanything that hinted at shock or a surge of competitive spirit. "I''m not as easily rattled as you," Yogan replied casually, waving her off as he walked away.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "Where are you going?" Lara called after him, clearly annoyed by his indifferent attitude. "Internet caf¨¦. To play games," he said, his figure disappearing down the tree-lined path. Lara stomped her foot in irritation. She couldn''t understand how someone could remain so calm after hearing such monumental news. --- Yogan''s life was a mix of simplicity and monotony. Aside from eating and sleeping, his days were divided between attending school¡ªan obligation forced upon him by his family¡ªand indulging in his personal passion: gaming. He was a regular at the Jiemie Internet Caf¨¦. "Single room, two bags of snacks, and a bottle of water," Yogan said as he approached the counter. "Got it," the network administrator replied with a sweet smile. She was used to seeing Yogan around and had come to recognize him as a frequent customer. After logging his information and handing him a network card, she added a friendly wink. Yogan chose this particular caf¨¦ for three reasons: the environment was quiet, the staff were friendly, and most importantly, the equipment was top-notch. As a high-level martial arts apprentice, his heightened senses and reflexes meant that even the slightest lag in a gaming setup could ruin his experience. Here, everything ran smoothly, and he could immerse himself in the game without distractions. His game of choice was Alien Invasion, a cutting-edge title that combined the latest 3D VR projection technology with an intense storyline based on real-world events. Yogan had been hooked on the game for months, squeezing in time between school and other obligations to progress through its challenging levels. Tonight, he was finally set to face the final boss. --- Two hours later, Yogan leaned back in his chair, pulling off the VR headset with a sigh. He had defeated the boss, but the victory left him feeling empty. The final battle had been challenging, but it lacked the thrill he had been craving¡ªthe kind of rush that made his heart race and his hands tremble. "I hope Alien Invasion 2 does better than this," he muttered, rubbing his temples. Packing up his belongings, Yogan left the private gaming room. As he stepped out, a sudden chill washed over him. "The air conditioning is way too low," he grumbled, pulling his jacket tighter around him. But as he continued walking, something felt¡­ off. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief. Towering trees surrounded him, their massive trunks stretching skyward. The familiar walls of the internet caf¨¦ were gone, replaced by rocky terrain and dense foliage. "What the hell¡­?" Yogan spun around, searching for the door he had just walked through. But it had vanished. Instead, a rocky hill loomed in the distance. "Is this some kind of hidden game level? Or¡­ am I dreaming?" Before he could make sense of the situation, a piercing scream echoed through the air. "No¡­ No!" Yogan froze. The voice was human. And it belonged to a woman. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the source of the sound. Years of gaming had taught him one thing: when something like this happens, follow the story. Crossing the hill, Yogan''s breath caught in his throat. Before him lay a city in ruins. The ground was cracked, and skyscrapers lay toppled, their once-proud structures reduced to rubble. The desolation was overwhelming. Blood stained the shattered streets, mingling with the debris of a once-thriving metropolis. Yogan''s mind reeled as he took in the scene. This level of destruction¡­ it was too real. No game studio, no matter how advanced, could create something so detailed and horrifying. As he moved cautiously through the ruins, another scream cut through the silence. "Please¡­ let us go!" The voice was hoarse, filled with terror. Yogan clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm. Taking a deep breath, he pressed on, following the sound. The devastation grew worse the further he went. Severed limbs lay scattered among the rubble, and the air reeked of death. His heart pounded in his chest. What kind of catastrophe could have caused such widespread annihilation? Finally, a transparent light curtain materialized in front of him. Yogan glanced at it, his eyes narrowing. [Yogan] Strength: Advanced Martial Arts Apprentice Martial Arts: Basic Breathing Method (80/100) As he processed the strange display, a mechanical female voice spoke in his ear: "Welcome to Alien Beast Apocalypse!" --- The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. This wasn''t just a game anymore. This was real. And he had no idea how to survive it. for more Episodes visit patreon Ch-3:Special Beast, Extreme Escape "Panel? Game?" "Apocalypse of the alien beasts?" Yogan''s eyes widened, his mind swirling with confusion. How could this be possible? A moment ago, the idea of this being a game felt like a stretch, yet here he was staring at a floating panel that seemed all too real. The panel listed his current martial arts strength: Advanced Martial Artist Apprentice. But what truly caught his attention was the progress bar next to the Basic Breathing Method (80/100). "Could this mean I can level up by earning points? Like in a game?" Yogan muttered, narrowing his eyes. The idea was absurd, but the mechanics were too familiar to ignore. "It''ll probably make sense later," he reasoned, dismissing the thought for now. Without further delay, he turned and ran toward the desperate cries echoing through the ruins. --- The broken road stretched endlessly, flanked by the remnants of collapsed buildings. Time and weather had worn them down, leaving jagged edges and deep cracks. Every step Yogan took was accompanied by the eerie silence of a place long abandoned. Finally, he reached a dilapidated two-story structure. The cries came from within. "Let me go¡­" The voice was faint, hoarse, and filled with despair. Yogan could also hear the sickening sound of chewing, making his stomach churn. He ascended the broken staircase cautiously, his senses heightened by years of martial arts training. The air reeked of blood, the stench almost unbearable. As he reached the second floor, the sight before him made his breath catch. --- Corpses littered the floor, their bodies mangled beyond recognition. Blood had pooled and seeped into the cracks of the cement, painting the ground a deep crimson. In the center of the room, a thin woman crawled forward, her face pale and drenched in sweat. Behind her, a hulking figure crouched over a corpse, devouring it with grotesque fervor. The creature''s appearance was both horrifying and surreal. It had the body of a man but the face of a pig, complete with sharp tusks and coarse, bristly hair. Its thick muscles bulged as it tore flesh from the corpse with its fangs.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "A beast-man?" Yogan thought, his heart racing. He''d read about alien beasts in books, but this creature was far more terrifying than anything he could have imagined. The monster stood up, towering over three meters tall. Its dark eyes gleamed with malice as it stalked toward the crawling woman. Yogan''s breathing quickened. The Basic Breathing Method activated instinctively, gathering energy from the surrounding air and steadying his nerves. The pig-headed creature reached out a clawed hand toward the woman. Yogan acted on instinct. --- A sharp pebble, infused with Yogan''s energy, flew toward the creature''s head. It struck with a loud crack but barely left a mark, only managing to draw its attention. The beast turned, its crimson eyes locking onto Yogan. "Another meal? How delightful!" it growled, its voice guttural and dripping with malice. Yogan didn''t hesitate. He bolted down the stairs, his mind racing. "This thing''s defenses are too strong. Even at full strength, I don''t stand a chance," he thought. His only option was to outsmart it. --- The chase began. Yogan sprinted out of the building, the monster close behind. Its powerful legs propelled it forward in massive leaps, each one closing the distance between them. "Think, Yogan, think!" he muttered, scanning his surroundings. The collapsed streets and crumbling buildings offered little in terms of weaponry. Then his eyes landed on a nearby ten-story building. "It''s risky, but it might work," he thought, clenching his fists. --- Yogan dashed into the towering structure, its walls barely holding up after years of neglect. The interior was dark and filled with debris, but he navigated it with ease. The monster followed, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground with each step. "You can''t escape, little prey!" it roared, its voice echoing through the building. Yogan ignored the taunts. He focused on his plan. Years of playing strategy games had taught him one thing: sometimes, the environment was the best weapon. --- He located a support pillar on the first floor, its concrete cracked and worn. Channeling his energy, he struck it with all his might. The pillar crumbled, sending a tremor through the building. The monster hesitated for a moment, then laughed. "Is that all you''ve got?" it sneered, charging toward him. Yogan didn''t respond. He moved to the next support pillar, repeating the process. --- The building groaned ominously, dust and debris falling from the ceiling. Yogan could feel his muscles burning, his breathing labored. But he couldn''t stop now. The monster, now enraged, tore through walls in its pursuit. "I''ll devour you piece by piece!" it roared, swiping at Yogan with its massive claws. Yogan narrowly dodged, the creature''s claws missing him by mere inches. --- Finally, he reached the last support pillar. Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Yogan delivered a powerful blow. The pillar shattered, and the building began to collapse. Yogan sprinted toward the exit, the sound of falling debris and the monster''s enraged screams echoing behind him. He leaped out just as the structure caved in, a cloud of dust and rubble engulfing everything in sight. --- Yogan lay on the ground, panting heavily. His body ached, and his energy was nearly depleted. But he was alive. He stared at the pile of rubble, waiting for any sign of movement. After a few tense moments, there was nothing. "It worked," he whispered, a faint smile forming on his lips. But his relief was short-lived. A loud roar erupted from the rubble, and the debris shifted. The pig-headed monster emerged, battered but very much alive. "Impossible¡­" Yogan muttered, his heart sinking. The creature''s crimson eyes burned with rage as it locked onto him. "You''ll pay for that!" it snarled, charging toward him once more. --- Yogan struggled to his feet, his body screaming in protest. He had no strength left to fight. As the monster closed in, a blinding light erupted from the sky. A figure descended, cloaked in radiant energy. The newcomer landed between Yogan and the monster, their presence exuding overwhelming power. "Looks like you could use some help," the figure said, glancing back at Yogan with a confident smile. Yogan could only nod, his body collapsing from exhaustion as the battle continued. --- To Be Continued¡­ for more Episodes visit patreon Ch-4:Kill the Strange Beast and Return Yogan''s expression remained steady despite the constant crashes behind him. Blowing up an entire building with his own strength was far more challenging than he had anticipated. But now, with the monster''s reckless rampage aiding his efforts, things were finally starting to fall into place. He kept circling the critical support points, each one weakening under the monster''s relentless attacks. Yogan silently hoped that its sheer brute force would deliver the final blow to collapse the structure. Time dragged on. Exhaustion was creeping in, and Yogan''s body was nearing its limit. The tremors shaking the building grew more violent, signaling that the structure''s integrity was hanging by a thread. "This should do it..." Yogan muttered under his breath. His eyes scanned the walls around him, now riddled with massive holes. Without wasting a second, he turned and bolted toward the exit, leaving behind a strategically weakened load-bearing wall. Bang! Bang! Yogan''s shoulder smashed into the cracked wall, sending shockwaves through the fragile structure. Crack! The fissures spread like spiderwebs, disintegrating the last critical support. Yet... The towering building stubbornly stood. It swayed and groaned but refused to collapse entirely. "This is ridiculous..." Yogan sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. He had accounted for the possibility of failure, though. At least his efforts had bought enough time for the woman to escape. As for himself... The thought of the monster''s disgusting maw gnawing on his flesh made his stomach churn. Still, he refused to surrender to despair. Turning on his heel, Yogan sprinted toward a nearby building, determined to make one last gamble. Boom! "Boy! Don''t think you can escape me!" The pigman''s guttural roar echoed as it smashed through the remaining walls in pursuit. But before it could advance further, violent tremors rippled through the building. The weakened structure above began to collapse in on itself, raining debris like a vengeful storm. Crash! The deafening sound of the collapse reverberated through the ruins. Dust and rubble filled the air, blanketing the area in chaos. From a safe distance, Yogan finally allowed himself a relieved chuckle. "Guess I got lucky this time." He sank to the ground, his legs trembling from exertion. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving behind a bone-deep fatigue. Activating the basic breathing method, Yogan began to restore his strength. The technique drew energy from his surroundings, gradually replenishing his blood and vitality.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. "This game world is bizarre," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the ruins. "Ruined cities, strange monsters... What kind of madness have I been thrown into?" Despite his exhaustion, Yogan''s mind raced with questions. Information was a priceless commodity in an unfamiliar environment. His survival depended on piecing together the rules of this twisted reality. But before he could recover fully, a disturbing sound shattered his thoughts. From within the rubble, something stirred. A slab of concrete was shoved aside, and a figure began crawling out of the wreckage. Blood-soaked and battered, the pigman emerged, its twisted body defying logic. Its left arm was shattered, the barbs reduced to splinters. The right arm hung limply at its side, dark skin glistening with crimson streaks. Its chest bore a massive dent, likely crushing several ribs. And yet, its eyes burned with undying rage as they locked onto Yogan. "No way..." Yogan whispered, his body tensing. The creature''s vitality was monstrous. Even after sustaining such devastating injuries, it refused to die. Roar! The pigman let out a bloodcurdling scream and leaped toward Yogan, its movements wild and desperate. Its right leg was bent grotesquely, forcing it to hop like a deranged puppet. But the murderous intent in its eyes remained as sharp as ever. "This thing just won''t quit..." Yogan muttered, gritting his teeth. His body moved on instinct, retreating several meters in the blink of an eye. The pigman gave chase, its speed faltering but its determination unyielding. Yogan glanced back at the monstrosity and sighed. A cruel glint flashed in his eyes. "Fine. If you want to play, let''s play." Halting abruptly, Yogan turned to face the beast. The pigman roared triumphantly, mistaking his pause for surrender. Its one good leg stomped the ground with terrifying force, propelling it forward like a bloody cannonball. Yogan''s heart pounded, but his expression remained calm. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jagged steel rod he''d scavenged earlier. The basic breathing method flared to life, enveloping the weapon in a faint, glowing aura. As the beast lunged, Yogan shifted his stance and moved with surgical precision. The steel rod flashed in an arc of black light, piercing through the monster''s chest with a sickening crunch. Thud! The pigman''s momentum carried it forward, slamming into a nearby concrete wall. The force of the impact reduced the wall to rubble. Roar! The beast''s agonized scream filled the air. Blood poured from its wound like a crimson waterfall, staining the ground beneath it. It turned to face Yogan, its movements sluggish but fueled by pure hatred. Step by step, it staggered forward, intent on taking him down with it. But its strength was rapidly fading. With one final, guttural cry, the pigman collapsed. Its massive body hit the ground with a dull thud, twitching weakly before falling still. Yogan waited, his breathing labored. Five minutes passed. When he was certain the monster was dead, he cautiously approached the body. The steel rod was still embedded in its chest. Yogan yanked it free, causing a fresh gush of blood to spill out. As he inspected the corpse, his fingers brushed against something cold. A square card lay hidden beneath the pigman''s flesh. Its surface was engraved with intricate patterns, faintly glowing under the dim light. Curious, Yogan activated the basic breathing method and focused his energy on the card. Information flooded his mind. "This... is the Cellular Breathing Method?" Before he could delve deeper into the card''s secrets, a voice interrupted him. "You... you killed it?!" Startled, Yogan turned to see a woman cautiously stepping out from the shadows. Her face was pale and streaked with tears. Her clothes were tattered, exposing patches of bruised skin. Despite her disheveled appearance, her eyes shone with a mix of awe and relief. She stared at the pigman''s corpse in disbelief. "That thing slaughtered over a dozen people... And you... you actually killed it?" Yogan shrugged, wiping the blood from his hands. "Yeah," he replied simply. The woman''s gaze shifted to Yogan, her expression softening. She seemed to sense that he wasn''t a threat. As the tension between them eased, Yogan''s attention was drawn to a sudden notification. A translucent panel appeared before him. [You have killed a Level 1 alien beast. 100 experience points gained.] [Experience points can be used to enhance martial arts skills and improve your realm.] "So, it works like a game after all..." Yogan''s mind raced with possibilities. "If I can gain experience points from killing alien beasts, I can accelerate my growth exponentially. But the real question is... can I bring these changes back to the real world?" Before he could ponder further, a strange sensation washed over him. The ruins around him began to blur and dissolve. The collapsed buildings, the blood-soaked ground, the woman''s face¡ªall of it faded like a fleeting dream. --- for more Episodes visit patreon Chapter 5: Cultivation and Improvement – Cellular Respiration Method "Yogan, Yogan..." A sweet voice called out, pulling him back to reality. When he opened his eyes again, a soft, white hand waved up and down in front of him. It belonged to the network administrator, who wore a puzzled expression. "You''ve been standing at the door of the box for over two minutes¡­ Is something wrong?" she asked. "Uh¡­ No, I was just lost in thought, thinking about the game," Yogan replied with a faint smile. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to appear casual, then stepped out of the internet caf¨¦. As he walked down the bustling street, Yogan''s thoughts raced. He instinctively tried summoning the strange panel he had seen in the game. To his astonishment, a transparent light curtain appeared before his eyes, visible in the real world. Status Panel [Yogan Strength: Advanced Apprentice Warrior Martial Arts: Cellular Respiration (1%) Available Experience Points: 100] Yogan''s eyes widened. "Not only did the panel come with me, but the cellular respiration method replaced my old breathing technique," he muttered, stunned. He focused on the new breathing method and tried practicing it. Instantly, he felt the energy around him surge toward his body. The surrounding air seemed to thin as it poured into him like a raging tide. In just a few seconds, the ambient energy of the area was nearly depleted. Passersby stopped to stare, some whispering in confusion. Realizing he was drawing attention, Yogan quickly stopped the practice and darted into a quiet alley. Panting lightly, he pressed his back against the wall. "This is incredible," he whispered. "The cellular respiration method at just 1% progress absorbs more energy in seconds than the basic breathing method does in a year!" The implications were staggering. His qi and blood¡ªessential for a warrior''s strength¡ªwere directly linked to how much energy his body could absorb. This method wasn''t just superior; it was revolutionary. Yogan''s lips curled into a smile. "If this is just the beginning, what will happen when I master it?" He couldn''t wait to test it further. That night, Yogan returned to the empty two-story villa he called home. Since his parents'' deaths on the battlefield two years ago, the once lively home had become a quiet shell. He had thrown himself into games to distract from the loneliness. But tonight, things were different. Excitement buzzed through his veins as he stepped into his bedroom. "If the cellular respiration method exists in that world, what else might I find?" he wondered aloud. "Could I uncover skills that defy human limits? Techniques that could even¡­ bring back the dead?" The thought of reviving his parents flickered in his mind, a fragile but burning hope.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. For the first time in years, Yogan didn''t spend his evening gaming or sleeping. Instead, he practiced the cellular respiration method. The room filled with an invisible yet tangible energy as he absorbed the essence of the world around him. The next morning, Yogan woke up feeling stronger than ever. His body was brimming with vitality, his blood surging with power. He checked his status panel. Status Update Strength: First-Grade Warrior Martial Arts: Cellular Respiration (1%) Available Experience Points: 100 "First-Grade Warrior," Yogan murmured, disbelief creeping into his voice. "I''ve been stuck at the advanced apprentice level for months, but now I''ve broken through overnight?" He clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through him. "This breathing method is unbelievable. It''s like cheating!" His grin widened. "If I can bring these gains into the real world, I have to explore that game world further." Later that morning, Yogan strolled into Linhai No. 1 High School. The campus was alive with the chatter of students, but his mind was elsewhere. He barely noticed the stares of admiration from his peers. As the top martial artist in his grade, Yogan was no stranger to attention. But his thoughts were fixated on the game world. If the cellular respiration method was just the beginning, what other treasures and techniques might be hidden there? As he approached his classroom, a commotion at the practice area caught his attention. A group of students rushed toward him, their faces filled with urgency. "Yogan!" called a freckled boy from the front of the group. Yogan stopped and raised an eyebrow. "What''s going on?" "It''s Mitchell!" the boy blurted out. "He got into a fight with Chen Quan in the practice room. Chen blocked him in, and it''s getting bad!" Yogan''s expression darkened. Mitchell was a close friend, but he was only an intermediate martial apprentice. Going up against Chen Quan¡ªa senior ranked second in the entire school¡ªwas sheer madness. "Chen Quan?" murmured a nearby student, his voice trembling. "Isn''t he almost as strong as Jiang Qiuran?" "Yeah, Mitchell''s no match for him!" another whispered. Ignoring the chatter, Yogan''s eyes narrowed. "Let''s go," he said simply, striding toward the practice area. The freckled boy hesitated. "Shouldn''t we call the old class teacher first?" "He''ll hear about it soon enough," Yogan replied without breaking stride. The practice area was crowded with onlookers by the time Yogan arrived. Inside the sparring ring, Mitchell was sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from his lip. Chen Quan stood over him, a sneer on his face. "Had enough, little brat?" Chen taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Next time, know your place." Mitchell struggled to his feet, his fists clenched. "I''m not done yet," he growled. Before he could lunge again, Yogan stepped into the ring. The crowd fell silent as all eyes turned to him. "That''s enough, Chen," Yogan said calmly. Chen Quan''s smirk faltered. "Yogan? This has nothing to do with you." "It does now," Yogan replied, his tone icy. "If you want to pick on someone, try me." The tension in the room skyrocketed. Chen''s eyes narrowed as he sized up Yogan. "Fine," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Let''s see if the so-called prodigy of Grade 2 lives up to the hype." The sparring match began. Chen rushed forward, his fists blazing with energy. But Yogan stood his ground, his body calm and composed. As Chen''s attack closed in, Yogan sidestepped with precision, his movements almost effortless. The crowd gasped as he countered with a single strike to Chen''s chest, sending him stumbling back. Chen''s face twisted with fury. "You got lucky!" he roared, charging again. But Yogan''s focus was unshakable. The cellular respiration method flowed through him, heightening his reflexes and amplifying his strength. Each of Chen''s attacks was met with calculated precision, and each counter left the senior struggling to regain his footing. Finally, with a swift kick to the chest, Yogan sent Chen crashing to the ground. The crowd erupted into cheers as Chen groaned in defeat. Mitchell limped over, his face a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thanks, Yogan. I owe you one." Yogan shook his head. "Just be more careful next time," he said, his voice soft but firm. As the crowd dispersed, Yogan couldn''t help but smile to himself. The cellular respiration method had proven its worth once again. But this was just the beginning. There was still so much more to uncover in that mysterious game world. And Yogan was determined to unlock its secrets¡ªno matter what it took. for more Episodes visit patreon ch-6:The Hateful Stealing Dog "Yogan, since you''re a guy, I won''t make things difficult for you, but I must teach Mitchell a lesson!" Bang! Along with the words, a tall figure flew backward, and his back hit the wall at the door of the training room before he stopped. "Chen Quan, are you too domineering!" A delicate voice came from afar, and a ponytail girl in a light blue training suit had a cold face. "The training room isn''t yours, so why can''t others use it?" Across from her, a boy in white crossed his arms and sneered: "I don''t care about other training rooms, but this training room with an energy gathering array is divided according to strength and belongs to me! He opened it without my consent!" A dozen senior high school students stood around the boy in white. They surrounded Lara and Mitchell, and it was clear that they didn''t intend to let them leave easily. At this time, at the door of the training room in front, a girl in a green martial arts uniform, with shoulder-length hair and pretty cheeks, looked at all of this indifferently. Chen Quan glanced at the other girl and saw that she had no intention of attacking, so his momentum grew even stronger. In Linhai No. 1 Middle School, no one except Jiang Qiuran was his opponent. "Today, I will teach you a truth: strength is respected!" Chen Quan crossed his index fingers, gently clenched them, making a crisp sound, and walked toward Mitchell with a bad look. Seeing that the other party was reluctant to give up, Lara''s face was ugly, and she gritted her silver teeth. She looked at the pretty girl next to her and said pitifully: "Senior Jiang, can you..." Before she finished speaking, Jiang Qiuran waved her hand coldly, her voice indifferent: "The training room is indeed divided according to grades. If you have the strength, you can snatch it from Chen Quan. I have no reason to interfere." Seeing this, Chen Quan sneered. There was a faint rise of blood in his body, and the fluctuation far exceeded that of a warrior apprentice; he had reached the level of a first-grade warrior.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "Bang!" He stepped heavily on the ground and rushed out like an arrow, heading straight for Lara. "Since you want to meddle in other people''s business, I''ll teach you a lesson." With a sneer, he punched the girl in the chest, a sharp gust of wind accompanying the strike. Lara gritted her teeth, raised her arms quickly, and crossed them across her chest, her face solemn. Bang! A huge force came, and she felt that her body could not control the flight backward. "Ah!" She screamed with a pale face in mid-air. Just when she closed her eyes, feeling discouraged and thinking she was going to fall heavily to the ground, a hand supported her back invisibly, easily dissolving the enveloping force. A little air wave passed by, and there were exclamations around. Lara secretly opened her eyes, and when she saw the familiar face, a trace of shame appeared on her cheeks. The other person held her waist with one hand, and his strong arms made her body tremble slightly. "Yogan..." Lara subconsciously stood up from the other person''s arms, feeling the residual warmth on her back, and couldn''t help pursing her lips. Seeing the boy in front of her, who was always calm, Lara''s pale face showed a sense of peace. Yogan nodded but didn''t say anything. He just walked to Mitchell silently and asked: "Aren''t you going to the internet caf¨¦ to book a night? Why are you in the practice room?" Mitchell''s eyes evaded when he heard this. He scratched his head awkwardly and grinned, "My dad said that if I dare to book a night, he''ll break my legs. I... I don''t accept it! So I came to the practice room to book a night..." After saying that, he lowered his head quickly, like a quail. Yogan was speechless. Then, he looked at the boy in white, Chen Quan, and said: "Beat him to death! If you''re tired of beating, you can let me do it." Mitchell, who was standing aside, wanted to cry but had no tears when he heard this. At this moment, even Lara crossed her arms and looked at him unkindly. Stealing dogs is really hateful! Chen Quan was slightly stunned when he saw this. The senior high school students gathered around were also amused. Only Mitchell shrank his head and smiled cautiously. "Okay, you guys go. This won''t happen again." Chen Quan waved his hand, and the fierce momentum that had just been brewing was broken by Yogan''s sudden arrival. He didn''t intend to pursue it further. But just as he was about to turn around, he heard a cold voice from behind. "Mitchell made the mistake first, you can beat him up. Anyway, he''s thick-skinned. But... should you give an explanation for Lara''s injury?" Mitchell, who had lowered his head, heard the words and looked at Yogan with a look of grievance. Seeing this, Lara bit her lips tightly, her pretty face blushed, and she quickly pulled Yogan''s sleeves tightly, whispering in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "I... I''m fine, Yogan, you don''t have to stand up for me." She lowered her head, not daring to look at the eyes of the boy next to her, and her ears seemed to be red. Although she usually regarded Yogan as her biggest opponent, at this moment, her heart was a little turbulent. Just as Lara tightly grasped the hem of her clothes with both hands and her mind was full of fantasies, a faint explanation came to her ears: "I just want to find a reason to rob his practice room, don''t get me wrong." As soon as these words came out, the ponytail girl raised her head suddenly, gritted her teeth, and her pretty face was full of resentment and murderousness. --- for more Episodes visit patreon ch-7: Is Powerful! "Just now, I heard you say that the energy gathering array training room is divided according to strength?" Yogan looked at the figure in front of him. "What? You want to fight me?" Chen Quan paused, turned slightly, stared at the handsome boy, and laughed. Although he had been suppressed by Jiang Qiuran for many years, he was still a first-grade fourth-level warrior, and his strength was undoubtedly the second-best in the school. Yogan was said to be very talented and had participated in the Qianlong training camp, but at this time, he was just a high-level apprentice and had not even stepped into the threshold of a warrior. What could he use to fight him? Yogan nodded. He also wanted to see if the energy gathering array could speed up his training progress. Now was a good opportunity. "Since you want to try, then it''s as you wish!" Chen Quan clapped his hands and said with a relaxed expression: "You thought you had participated in the Qianlong training camp and had some talent, so you wanted to challenge me? Today, let everyone see who is better¡ªmy hard work over the past three years or your fragile talent!" Chen Quan''s words were met with cheers from the group around him, as if they had been injected with new energy. Lara and Mitchell also showed solemn expressions on their faces. "Aren''t you embarrassed to talk like this?" Yogan raised his eyebrows, his face full of disgust for the middle school boy. He turned around, feeling the urge to leave. Lara and Mitchell were slightly stunned but didn''t say much. "I said..." A voice came from behind. Chen Quan had a faint smile on his face. "You''ve already angered me... shouldn''t you say, ''Senior, I''m sorry'' before leaving?" As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding training areas seemed to fall silent. Mitchell looked up, his face flushed a little, and gritted his teeth. "This matter started because of me. I''m here to apologize, Brother Yogan, you don''t have to..." "Apologize?" Yogan held his forehead and turned to look at the gloomy Chen Quan. "Can you speak more normally?"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. "Hehe, since you don''t want to apologize, there''s nothing more to say." Chen Quan nodded impatiently and then stopped speaking. He began walking toward the three of them, step by step. Lara and Mitchell exchanged glances, their bodies subconsciously tensing. They were about to step forward when their eyes met. "Three against one? Just right! Let me see what level the genius who participated in the Qianlong training camp is." "You don''t have to make a move," Chen Quan spoke to the senior high school students next to him. Then his body moved slightly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. The terrifying momentum that emanated from him made Mitchell''s breath catch. A first-class warrior is so terrifying! Seeing this, the other senior high school students around all stepped back a few steps, giving them enough space to fight. "Fight!" A low shout roared from Chen Quan''s mouth. The surging blood and qi rose from his body. He stomped his foot and rushed toward Yogan and the others. "It''s over," Lara''s pretty face was ugly. Her fists were clenched, and her chest rose and fell. Mitchell''s eyes were red. "Fight him." "Haha, you are worthy..." Chen Quan''s mouth corners were slightly raised as he ran, and his domineering voice felt like a cold blade in winter hanging over the hearts of the two. However... The next moment... While the words were still echoing, the two figures collided. "Bang!" The sound was so loud that no one had time to react. They saw a figure flying out like a sandbag. "Chen Quan is so powerful..." The brainless little fans watching nearby were about to cheer. But as soon as the words came out, they suddenly found that the entire first floor of the training room had gone silent in an instant. Then, there was an uproar. "Not...?" "How could it be...?" They stared at the white figure lying on the ground at the end of the corridor, trying to get up. Then their eyes moved to the handsome young man standing in the middle with a calm face. It was just too incredible. Amidst the astonished eyes, Yogan walked toward the other party and said calmly: "Can you speak properly?" Chen Quan thought that the other party was humiliating him, gritted his teeth, his face twisted in anger, and he roared: "Yogan!" As soon as the words left his mouth, a white palm immediately covered his face. "Pah!" The white figure flew out again, then fell heavily to the ground, making a violent scream. Chen Quan covered his swollen cheeks tightly, unwilling to bow his head. On the other side, at the door of the No. 1 training room, Jiang Qiuran''s beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Yogan''s figure. She was in full disbelief. It was just an ordinary fight, but Chen Quan, a first-grade fourth-level warrior, did not resist at all. A miserable defeat. A complete miserable defeat. "How is this possible?" Chen Quan sat on the ground, covering his face and muttering repeatedly. Suddenly, he looked up. His twisted face was full of ferocity. "You forced me to do it!" "Flame Explosion Fist!" On Chen Quan''s right fist, a violent surge of blood and energy suddenly gathered. As the blood rose, it was like a scarlet flame entwining his arm, even causing ripples in the air. All the students around exclaimed when they saw this. This was the true strength of the second-best in the school! "First-level martial arts!" "So scary!" Yogan frowned slightly when he saw this. But after feeling the weak fluctuation of blood and qi, he relaxed again. He clenched his five fingers into a fist and punched out without any fancy moves. Bang! The two fists collided heavily. The air wave spread out. Chen Quan instinctively felt that the aura exuded by the young man in front of him was like a mountain. Indestructible! His body trembled violently, and there was only a puff. A mouthful of blood spurted out of his mouth, and his steps staggered back a few steps. Then he sat on the ground in embarrassment. Even though he had used his strongest move, he still couldn''t shake the opponent at all. --- for more Episodes visit patreon Ch-8:Gene Lock, Broken! Everyone around was stunned. "Chen Quan is a genius who has reached the first-class warrior level, but..." Lara''s voice trailed off as her mouth hung open, wide enough to fit a sausage inside. "Brother Yogan is so powerful?!" Mitchell was almost speechless. But then, his expression darkened as he lowered his head. He found himself unable to ignore the vast gap between him and Yogan, a chasm so deep that it seemed insurmountable. This realization left him feeling desperate. "Qianlong Training Camp... you''ve been hiding your strength!" Jiang Qiuran clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, but she felt no pain. After speaking, she turned and stepped into the No. 1 training room. "You go back first," Yogan waved to Lara and Mitchell before heading toward the No. 2 training room. Chen Quan lay motionless on the ground, his clothes torn and his face grim. He stared at Yogan''s retreating back, filled with a mix of unwillingness and fear. "Wait for me!" he muttered through gritted teeth. Finally, he stood up and walked toward the infirmary. --- The training room was small, with only a single special chair for resting. As soon as Yogan stepped inside, he could feel the incredibly rich energy of heaven and earth surrounding him. The Cellular Respiration method activated automatically, and these abundant energies quickly entered his body. They were absorbed into his blood and qi as his cells breathed them in. After a moment of careful reflection, Yogan realized that the growth rate of his blood and qi here was more than twice as fast as it would be outside. The Cellular Respiration method and this energy-gathering training room complemented each other perfectly. Without hesitation, he increased the power of the energy-gathering array to the maximum. The rich breath of heaven and earth flooded his senses, and Yogan felt every cell in his body hungrily absorb the energy. The absorption speed was terrifying! As Yogan marveled at the intensity of the energy flowing into him, he quietly opened his personal panel. He saw that [Cellular Respiration Method (2%)] had increased by 1% without him even noticing. Yogan''s eyes widened in surprise. If his own practice could improve the progress of the breathing method, then were experience points still useful?This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Looking at the full 100 experience points, an idea crossed his mind. Why not try it? The next second, Yogan inserted 10 experience points into the martial arts column without hesitation. He felt a sudden shock, followed by a strange, wonderful sensation that spread throughout his body. Looking at the panel again, the progress of the Cellular Respiration Method had jumped to 12%! "10 experience points increase the progress by 10%..." At that exact moment, as the sensation washed over him, Yogan felt the blood in his body begin to boil, like water coming to a rapid boil. A hot air filled the room, causing his skin to turn slightly red. The next second, his body erupted with an immense suction force. It was as if he were a bottomless pit, pulling in the surrounding breath of the outside world. In that moment, it felt as if a violent storm had descended on the training room. Countless breaths of heaven and earth flowed from the Qi Gathering Formation, only to be pulled into Yogan''s body in a savage, insatiable manner. At first, the disturbance was contained within the No. 2 training room, but it didn''t take long before the entire training building was affected. The other students in the nearby training rooms were shocked to find that the energy in their own energy-gathering arrays had suddenly decreased. "What''s going on?" "Who is it?" "Is the energy-gathering array malfunctioning?" Everyone rushed to open the doors of their training rooms in confusion and looked toward the No. 2 training room with suspicion. "What a domineering force." "Who is inside?" "What is he doing?" A murmur of whispers broke out, and all eyes turned toward the door of No. 2. Clearly, they had never encountered such a situation before. "Yogan!" The door to the No. 1 training room slowly opened, and Jiang Qiuran stepped out, gripping the door handle with her left hand. Her beautiful eyes were filled with surprise. "After more than a year of silence, is he finally going to show his true potential and talent?" Jiang Qiuran bit her lip as she murmured, her gaze lowered. It was said that Yogan had been devastated after the death of his family, but it seemed like he was rising again now. "What''s happening?" A steady voice interrupted, and everyone turned to see a middle-aged man in a black martial arts uniform striding toward them. The middle-aged man had a square face and an overwhelming aura that immediately silenced all the whispers in the room. He frowned slightly, glanced at the No. 2 training room, and asked, "Who''s inside?" "It''s Yogan," Jiang Qiuran answered. "Hmm? It''s him!" The middle-aged man relaxed slightly when he heard the name. His footsteps halted as a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. "This level of absorption power is probably stronger than that of most second-grade warriors. Can his body handle it?" But as he thought about it further, remembering that Yogan had participated in the Qianlong Training Camp, an absolute genius, and that the practice room hadn''t issued a red alert, the middle-aged man decided not to intervene for the moment. Although Yogan could feel the commotion in the practice room, he paid it no mind. The Cellular Respiration Method was truly amazing. He could feel his entire body vibrating in sync with the breathing process, an endless cycle of absorption and release. As the energy of heaven and earth continued to flow into him, the fullness of his qi and blood made him feel relaxed and content. But just as Yogan immersed himself in his training, his body began to change in ways he couldn''t yet comprehend. The abundant energy of heaven and earth merged into his flesh and bones, constantly reinforcing his physique. Then, at that moment, a low voice suddenly echoed in the depths of his mind. It felt as if something had been unlocked. Yogan''s heart skipped a beat, and he realized there were light spots flashing in various parts of his body. "Bang!" With a loud crash, his heart resonated like a massive bell. "The first gene lock, broken!" --- for more Episodes visit patreon Ch-9 :Drain the Training Room Boom! With a loud crash, the aura of heaven and earth within Yogan''s body was violently stirred, circulating through his meridians. Then, it was completely absorbed by the glowing light spots. "What is this?" Yogan was stunned, but he didn''t dare to move. He could only feel the light spots inside his body lighting up continuously. "Is it because the gene lock was broken?" Yogan''s mind raced, but the term "gene lock" had never appeared in any martial arts knowledge he had studied. He was confused, unable to make sense of what was happening. "This change... was caused by cellular respiration?!" Yogan counted the light spots carefully. His heart skipped a beat as he realized that there were exactly 360 light spots. If they were connected, they would form a strange pattern. This was beyond his comprehension. At that moment, it felt as though Yogan had embarked on an entirely new path in martial arts. "What level of martial arts is this cellular respiration? It''s so magical!" With a slight sigh, Yogan realized that the energy of heaven and earth in the training room had been completely depleted. The once powerful energy-gathering array could no longer supply even a trace of the heavenly aura. "Has the training room been drained?" Yogan was momentarily stunned, and the boiling blood inside his body gradually began to calm down. Then, he noticed that the 360 light spots had gradually transformed into small egg-like shapes, with only one light spot on his right palm still faintly glowing. The excess energy in his body seemed to have gathered there, causing the light spot to flicker, its light unstable. At the same time, Yogan could feel the blood and energy surging through his right palm. He fought the urge to unleash a destructive blow that would tear apart the training room. Slowly, he opened his eyes. "Now, I can easily deal with the mutant pig man with just my right palm. I won''t be as embarrassed as I was before." But as he thought about it, doubts crept into his mind. "We practiced the same cellular respiration method, but why did I improve so much?" The strength he felt now was not reflected in the pig man he had fought. Logically, the pig man had also practiced cellular respiration, so why didn''t he show similar progress? Yogan muttered to himself, but it was difficult to analyze the reason. He could only wait for the next time he entered the game world to gather more information and solve the mystery. Thinking of the dilapidated game world, a sense of curiosity stirred within him. The strange ruins, the unknown level of the breathing method¡ªeverything made him want to explore further.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. He forced himself to calm down and stopped overthinking. Yogan got up, cleaned the practice room, closed the energy-gathering array, and then stepped outside. The moment he exited the room, countless eyes turned toward him. Yogan was taken aback by the attention. "What''s going on?" Could the outside world have felt the noise he made in the practice room? Yogan blinked and looked at the middle-aged man standing in front of him. The man''s presence exuded a faint but undeniable sense of oppression. "Hello, teacher," Yogan said politely. The students around them stared at Yogan in surprise. Their faces were a mixture of shock and confusion. The noise from the practice room had been so loud; surely, he couldn''t be trying to brush it off? "Yogan, were you practicing the basic breathing method?" Jiang Qiuran couldn''t help but speak up, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt. With her sixth-level first-rank strength, she couldn''t have caused the commotion that had just occurred. If Yogan''s blood and qi were already superior to hers, it was utterly unacceptable to her. Jiang Qiuran clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging into her palms without her realizing it. The middle-aged man, hearing the question, turned to Yogan with great interest. It was clear he was eager to know the answer. Yogan''s face remained calm as he spoke lightly. "After joining the Qianlong Training Camp, one of the mentors gave me a special breathing method." The moment these words left his mouth, everyone around him gasped in shock. The middle-aged man was equally taken aback! A mentor from the Qianlong Training Camp! That was an extraordinary figure. It was said that any mentor there was a powerful individual above the fifth rank. A fifth-rank powerhouse! Not only in Linhai City but in the surrounding three prefecture-level cities, it was rare to find anyone of such caliber. The principal of No. 1 Middle School was a peak warrior of the third rank, and even the president of the Martial Arts Association in Linhai City had only just reached the fourth rank. The middle-aged man''s eyes flickered, and his gaze toward Yogan changed dramatically. Talent alone wasn''t enough to be truly formidable. But if there was power backing that talent, it meant that the young man in front of him could safely grow to at least the third rank. Realizing this, the middle-aged man no longer pursued the matter of the noise in the training room. Instead, he smiled at Yogan and spoke politely. "Forget it this time. Just remember to report in advance for the next training." Jiang Qiuran, who had been standing nearby, bit her lip tightly when she heard this. As the strongest and most prideful girl at No. 1 Middle School, she now felt unprecedented pressure from Yogan. Looking at the expressions of the people around him, Yogan couldn''t help but smile inwardly. After politely greeting the middle-aged man, he turned and left. As he exited the training room, Yogan took a deep breath and headed straight for the martial arts library. Before, he had been just a high-level martial artist apprentice and hadn''t been qualified to practice martial arts. But now that his blood and qi had entered the first rank, he was ready to find a martial art that suited him. "Yogan!" Halfway to the library, a cheerful voice called out to him from behind. Turning around, he saw Lara running toward him. The girl was trotting happily, her ponytail bouncing with every step. Her curves were more noticeable now, accentuated by her light blue martial arts uniform. "Wait... When did she grow so well developed?" Yogan whispered softly to himself. "What are you talking about?" Lara approached, looking at him in confusion. "Have you grown taller again? The martial arts uniform seems a little small," Yogan commented, pointing at her exposed white ankles. "Yes." Lara blushed slightly and glanced at him. "Let''s go. Let''s head to the martial arts library," she said with a smile. --- for more Episodes visit patreon ch10-Beautiful Teacher, Wang Lili Yogan and Lara walked side by side into the spacious martial arts library. The room, filled with rows of bookshelves, was bustling with students searching for martial arts techniques that suited their abilities. "So many!" Lara exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement. As a martial arts apprentice, she had never been inside the library before. "Let''s take a look together. It''s a good opportunity to think about the martial arts path we''ll take in the future," Yogan suggested. "Okay." Lara nodded obediently, though her gaze lingered on Yogan. His black hair, dark eyes, and handsome face made her heart race a little. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she couldn''t help but sneak glances at him. Yogan, however, didn''t seem to notice. Finding a martial art that was both powerful and suited to his style would take time. He had already decided what he wanted and headed straight to the section for palm techniques. Half an hour later, Yogan left the martial arts library, satisfied. He held a photocopied magnetic card in his hand, its surface glittering in the light. Martial arts, as important resources, couldn''t be checked out of the library. So, photocopy cards were provided, which were valid for only one month. This system helped prevent martial arts techniques from being passed around indiscriminately. "A month should be enough," Yogan thought to himself. Just as he was about to leave, a clear voice called out from behind him. "Yogan, come to my office!" He turned around to see Wang Lili, the head teacher of their Class 1, Grade 2. Wang Lili was a talented beauty who had reached the third-grade martial artist rank at the young age of 26. It was said that she was a senior graduate of a martial arts university and had returned to Linhai No. 1 Middle School to teach and improve her qualifications. The number of people who pursued her in Linhai City was so large that they could probably form a line from her office to the outside of the school. However, she had never shown any interest in them. "Hello, teacher." Lara greeted with a playful tongue-out gesture. Today, Wang Lili had applied light makeup and wore a round-neck sweater paired with light-colored jeans. The jeans hugged her slender thighs, emphasizing her well-proportioned figure. Her high heels clicked softly as she walked, adding to her elegant appearance. "The teacher still has that charm," Yogan muttered under his breath. Lara, overhearing him, turned and shot him a cold look. Wang Lili approached, glanced at Lara, and then gave her a stern warning. "Dating is not allowed in high school, understand?" Lara''s pretty face turned bright red upon hearing the teacher''s reprimand. She nodded quickly, like a chicken pecking at rice, then glanced at Yogan before hurrying away, her hands pinching her skirt.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Yogan couldn''t help but chuckle at the scene, but his attention was quickly drawn back to Wang Lili. Inside the spacious office, a faint fragrance filled the air. Wang Lili sat in the main chair with her legs crossed, flipping through some papers on the desk. "Have you reached the first-grade warrior level?" she asked, glancing up at the video playing on her computer screen, which showed Yogan easily knocking Chen Quan aside. "Yeah," Yogan replied, nodding. He had no reason to hide it. He knew his talent was exceptional, and such breakthroughs were not out of the ordinary for him. They would draw attention, but not excessive surprise. "With your talent, you could have reached the first rank half a year ago. Instead, you''ve been playing games every day¡­" Wang Lili said, her voice laced with disapproval as she glared at him, as though scolding him for wasting time. Yogan didn''t say anything in response, but Wang Lili''s next words softened. "Since you''ve made a breakthrough, I''ll help you apply for the school''s resources. Whether you accept them or not is up to you." Her voice had cooled down, but a hint of warmth could still be heard, especially as she recalled the haggard sight of Yogan when she had visited his home a year and a half ago. Her heart softened as she thought about how far he had come. "I heard from the principal that your performance in the Qianlong training camp was outstanding. Don''t waste your talent." "Okay, teacher, thank you," Yogan replied seriously. He felt genuinely grateful. Wang Lili had always taken good care of him, even when he had struggled in the past year. Wang Lili nodded in acknowledgment. She lazily leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, her two slender thighs tightly pressed together. This was the first time she had seen Yogan sincerely obeying her, and it pleased her. "By the way, the school is about to arrange a wilderness trial. With your strength, you''ll be able to participate alongside the senior high school students. Of course, there will be other top high schools from nearby cities participating as well." Wang Lili''s sharp, exquisite eyes swept over Yogan as she smiled. "Are you interested?" Yogan blinked in surprise. The wilderness area was a notorious, dangerous place outside Linhai City, filled with ferocious beasts and rogue warriors. The government imposed few restrictions on the area, and it was often used by higher education institutions for trials. "This is another kind of school competition?" Yogan narrowed his eyes, his interest piqued. "Yes, it''s organized every year by each city," Wang Lili confirmed. She stood up, her long, slightly curly hair swaying as she moved. Her slender waist added to her graceful posture. "Originally, only senior high school students could participate, but this year, you''re an exception. I can''t wait to see the teachers from other schools'' reactions when they see you in action!" Wang Lili leaned over the desk, supporting herself with both hands, bringing her body close to Yogan, less than 30 centimeters away. Her proud chest was now fully displayed, a stark contrast to the cold, indifferent demeanor she usually maintained at school. "It''s settled. You''ll represent our school in the trial. I''ve already arranged your teammates for you. Jiang Qiuran and Chen Quan from the third year of high school should be fine, right?" "No problem. But¡­ are there any rewards for such a large-scale trial?" Yogan asked, his gaze still focused on Wang Lili''s delicate, slightly alluring face. "Of course. I don''t know exactly what the rewards are, but I can assure you that they won''t disappoint." After saying this, Wang Lili straightened up, crossing her arms in front of her chest and smiling sweetly at Yogan. "Okay, teacher, I''ll go back now," Yogan said, nodding politely before turning to leave. As Yogan''s back disappeared through the door, Wang Lili sat back in her chair, her red lips curling into a slight smile. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation. She stretched, her figure elegant and graceful, before turning her gaze out the window. "Even though I wasted a year and a half, with his talent, I can''t wait to see the surprised expressions of those arrogant students from the top universities..." --- for more Episodes visit patreon ch-11:Wilderness Trial The scorching sun blazed in the sky, casting a bright light through the glass windows onto the expansive training ground. Yogan sat quietly in the corner, his dark eyes focused on the martial arts magnetic card in his hand. As he gently exhaled, a faint breath flowed into his palm, causing the surface of the card to flicker. A flood of information surged into his mind. He closed his eyes tightly, processing the details of the martial art, "Palm Seal." Nearby, a middle-aged man led a group of students in actual combat training. Yogan glanced at them briefly but quickly lost interest. Instead, he found an empty room and began practicing alone. Taking a deep breath, he pressed his palms together, drawing in the blood and energy of the heavens and earth. As his mind focused, the energy gathered in his palms. The light around his hands flickered, and a trace of scarlet blood began to form. However, as the energy continued to merge with the blood and air, the scarlet color slowly faded, replaced by a red and white light seal. Crack! The light seal trembled, and Yogan''s focus sharpened. He realized it was fragile and could break if he wasn''t careful. But then, something unusual happened. A strange light spot deep within his palm shifted. Suddenly, a powerful energy from the heavens and earth began to seep out from the light spot, quickly stabilizing the seal that was on the verge of shattering. Under Yogan''s astonished gaze, the seal condensed and stabilized rapidly, with complex patterns forming within the palm. At the same time, violent and fiery fluctuations radiated from it. Yogan''s eyes narrowed as he observed the developing seal, his mind focused. This kind of fluctuation... "If I use this against a mutant pigman, a single strike might turn it to ashes..." He couldn''t help but marvel at the power. He continued to work with the technique, his hands steady. Buzz! A faint buzzing sound resonated as the energy within the light spot weakened, and the red and white light began to coalesce. Eventually, it solidified into a shallow mark on his palm.Stolen story; please report. "It''s done...!" Yogan muttered in satisfaction. But just as he thought he had succeeded, the red and white mark on his palm suddenly flared up. The energy of the heavens and earth surrounding him became violent, as if a beast had been unleashed. Yogan''s brow furrowed. This was unexpected; the magnetic card had not warned him about such a sudden change. Boom! The energy surged like a tidal wave, pushing against his palm. Yogan gritted his teeth and activated his own blood and qi to resist, struggling to suppress the overwhelming force. For ten long minutes, he fought to keep control. Finally, the violent fluctuations began to subside. "How can a first-level martial art be this domineering...?" Yogan gasped, his body exhausted but gradually returning to a more stable state. He recalled the Flame Explosion Fist that Mitchell had used against him before. The power of that attack seemed minuscule compared to this palm technique. "As a first-level martial art, the gap is so huge?" Yogan marveled, looking at the mark on his palm in awe. But he was not disappointed; on the contrary, he was thrilled. The more powerful the technique, the more it suited his desires. "Wait a minute..." Yogan opened his system panel to check his progress. To his surprise, he found: [Martial Arts: Cellular Respiration (13%)] [Palm Yin and Yang (10%)] "Palm Yin and Yang?!" Yogan''s eyes widened. He quickly clicked on the annotation for the "Palm Yin and Yang" martial art. A chill ran through him as he read the description. [Palm Yin and Yang]: Third-level martial arts. Yang seal, Yin seal, Yin and Yang combination... Yogan was stunned. "It''s actually a third-level martial art...?" he muttered in disbelief. The name and level had changed! No wonder the power had seemed far beyond a first-level martial art. "Could this be the effect of that light spot?" Yogan wondered, deep in thought. "Could the light spot formed by the cellular respiration method have improved the grade of this martial art?" He paused for a moment, unsure. The idea seemed too strange to believe, but it made sense. Suppressing his curiosity, Yogan reminded himself to keep this secret. If others found out, they might try to study him. Fortunately, his genius status provided a reasonable cover. It would make sense for his martial arts to be more powerful than expected. --- Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The bonfire crackled in the night air, casting warm flames that illuminated Wang Lili''s delicate figure, highlighting her elegant curves. "Teacher, why are you here with me for the trial?" Yogan asked, his voice calm as he stared at her from across the fire. "I''m your class teacher, so it''s only natural that I protect your safety," Wang Lili replied with a smile, her expression lighting up as she spoke. The other young men nearby couldn''t help but glance at her in admiration. Lara, sitting to the side, rolled her eyes and subtly glared at Yogan, clearly displeased. "The wilderness area is a haven for evil warriors and low-level beasts. If you encounter an overwhelming threat, remember to contact me immediately. You''re still a boy, so be sure to take care of yourself when you''re out there," Wang Lili continued, her voice serious yet gentle. Her words made Chen Quan, who had been quietly sitting nearby, blush. He had been a little too focused on her beauty, and the tension in the air was palpable. "Got it," Yogan replied, nodding. Despite the dangers of the wilderness, he knew it would be far easier than the challenges he had faced in the Qianlong training camp. After all, this was a real alien battlefield. "Although the three of you are the strongest students in Linhai City, don''t underestimate the competition from other cities. They''ll have talented students of their own," Wang Lili warned, her voice filled with concern. Before she could continue, a middle-aged man at the center of the campfire called for everyone''s attention. "This trial will be based on the number of ferocious beasts hunted, and that will determine the final assessment. However, fighting between students is allowed, so be prepared for that," he explained. "The evil warriors are everywhere. They are an important part of your growth, and you must learn how to adapt to them." He paused, his eyes sweeping across the gathered students. "In the future, you may find yourselves on the front lines of an alien battlefield, where the dangers are a thousand times worse than here. In front of true battlefield veterans, the evil warriors are nothing more than ants." The man''s voice echoed, his words heavy with meaning. "With that, the trial begins!" he announced, signaling the start of their mission. --- for more Episodes visit patreon ch 12-Wild Beast: Black Horn Bull The middle-aged man waved his hand, and the camp gate opened wide. At that moment, all the students seemed to hesitate, exchanging uncertain glances. "Start right away?" "We''re... not ready yet." Whispers filled the air as Yogan observed the dark wilderness, his eyes flickering with anticipation. "Night is the paradise of ferocious beasts. The school knows how to set the stage," he muttered under his breath. Chen Quan swallowed nervously, staring at the pitch-black landscape outside the camp. "Let''s go," Jiang Qiuran said calmly, her cold expression showing no trace of fear. Yogan looked at the girl, smiled, and nodded. With strong teammates by his side, his task would be much easier. At that moment, three figures stood on the other side of the camp. The tallest among them had a buzz cut and a lean build, standing a head taller than those around him. He looked strikingly composed in a simple white T-shirt and martial arts uniform, a bulging black sports bag slung over his shoulder. His confident presence made him stand out. The students gathered around him watched in awe but didn''t speak a word. "Let''s go!" The buzz-cut boy said indifferently, his lips curling into a slight smile. His eyes were fixed ahead as he walked on without hesitation. Even when he passed the teacher leading his group, he merely nodded in acknowledgment without saying a word. Behind him, a man and a woman followed closely, their faces full of admiration. "Ling Fei from Class 1!" "So cool, I like him so much!" As his figure disappeared into the distance, the students around him suddenly broke into excited chatter. "Ling Fei from Omi City is amazing," a tall, handsome boy said, his voice filled with admiration.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. "Huo Yu, you have to help me take down Ling Fei if we run into him!" he added, turning to a burly boy beside him with a dull expression. "Why don''t you do it yourself?" the dull boy asked, tilting his head. "Why would I need you if I could beat him?" the flirtatious boy retorted nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing. He flicked his bangs back and strode confidently toward the wilderness. "Yeah," the dull boy muttered and followed closely behind. As the three strongest students from different schools made their way into the wilderness, the rest of the students followed, their steps hesitant and unsure. The dark wilderness ahead felt like the gaping mouth of a beast ready to devour them. A chill ran down their spines as they ventured deeper. Yogan and his team moved forward cautiously, taking in their surroundings. "According to the map, there are ferocious beasts not far ahead," Jiang Qiuran said, leading the way. Chen Quan walked at the back, his face pale and anxious. He was clearly not accustomed to this type of situation. As they moved deeper into the wilderness, rustling sounds filled the air, and distant roars of beasts echoed through the night. "Stay alert," Jiang Qiuran warned, her voice sharp. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed as she peered through the dark bushes. A shadow slithered under a rotten tree trunk, moving in their direction. "It''s a beast!" she said, her voice low but firm. Chen Quan''s voice trembled. "Is that... a beast?" This was his first real encounter with a terrifying beast, and the fear was evident in his eyes. Jiang Qiuran, however, was unshaken. She drew her long knife from its sheath, her face eager with anticipation. "Leave this to me. No one else touch it!" Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she stepped forward. Yogan narrowed his eyes, using the faint light to illuminate the shadow while scanning their surroundings with his peripheral vision. Something felt off. It was as if they were being watched from the darkness. Jiang Qiuran advanced a few steps and finally saw the creature''s true form. "It''s a Black-Horned Bull!" she exclaimed. The beast raised its head, revealing its dark, spiky fur. Its most distinctive feature was the sharp black horn on its forehead, which glowed faintly in the night. The bull let out a loud, warning bellow. "Moo!" it sounded, as though announcing its presence to them. "Help me keep an eye on the surroundings!" Jiang Qiuran commanded, her grip tightening on her weapon. Chen Quan sighed in relief, his voice shaky. "It''s just a first-level beast. Its thick skin and muscles should be its only strength. It won''t be a problem for her..." But Yogan remained calm and observant. He whispered, "The beasts have started to form teams. Their intelligence is improving rapidly." "What do you mean?" Chen Quan asked, his voice cracking with concern as he quickly scanned the area. A chill crept up his spine, and his instincts screamed at him to stay alert. From the darkness around them, four more figures emerged, each a Black-Horned Bull, their eyes glowing with a dangerous gleam. They wheezed heavily as they closed in on the group. "Moo! Moo!" they roared in unison. Chen Quan''s eyes widened in fear. "Four more Black-Horned Bulls! We''re in trouble now!" He froze, unable to move. The sight of the bulls closing in on them paralyzed him with fear. "Two for each of us. It''s doable, right?" Jiang Qiuran said nonchalantly, her tone confident despite the overwhelming odds. "Ah?!" Chen Quan''s mind went blank. His body trembled as he processed the situation. He nodded hesitantly. This was his first time facing such brutal creatures, and the thought of fighting them terrified him. "Yogan... Brother Yogan, please be quick. I might not last long," he said, his face pale as he took out a special shield and rushed forward with trembling hands. Yogan didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he took a small step, his palm sliding the dark dagger from his belt. It was a weapon he had specifically chosen from the school''s armory¡ªsharp enough to penetrate the defenses of ordinary first-level beasts. Roar! One of the Black-Horned Bulls charged forward, its massive body moving with incredible speed. Its eyes, like copper bells, flashed with malice, and its horns glowed menacingly in the dark. Boom! The ground shook as the bull barreled toward Yogan, intent on crushing him with its brute force. The bull''s movements were swift, as if it were a heavily armored vehicle on a collision course. Yogan remained unfazed. The beast''s rage only made him more focused. He wasn''t about to let a mere beast intimidate him. --- Ch13 -Jiang Qiurans Inner Thoughts: I Can Do It Too! A weak human dares to wrestle with me? The black-horned bull thought this as it charged toward the human before it, imagining the moment when its sharp horns would pierce the weak body and claim victory. Bang! A deafening crash echoed through the night. Under the black-horned bull''s shocked gaze, the slender human in front of it gripped its massive horn with one hand, easily dissipating the enormous impact that had been carried in the bull''s charge. It felt as if it was not colliding with a human, but with a massive mountain. Under the faint starlight, a giant bull weighing a thousand pounds was being held down by a human who was less than a quarter of its size, effortlessly overpowering it with just one hand. No matter how hard the bull struggled, it couldn''t break free from the crushing force. Then, in a flash of light, a sharp gleam cut through the night. The black-horned bull''s eyes widened in disbelief as a clean line of blood appeared across its neck. Blood sprayed out in a fountain. It mooed in pain, but the suffering only grew worse, making it feel as if its very soul was being ripped apart. The mane on its body stood up like steel needles, as though the bull itself had become a fortress. However, before it could react, a sudden, immense force surged from above its head. The black-horned bull felt its enormous body being dragged forward uncontrollably. Its head smashed into the ground with tremendous force. Boom! The ground cracked under the impact, dust rising into the air. The bull''s head sank deep into the earth, and its black horns splintered under the force of the collision. For a moment, its limbs flailed weakly before it fell silent. The other black-horned bull witnessed its companion''s tragic end and let out a shrill howl, instinctively feeling fear in its gut. Yogan, who had been watching, smirked slightly as he sensed the change in the beast''s emotions. He decided to press the advantage and pursue.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Moments later, blood sprayed once again. Yogan''s dagger, wrapped in the energy of the earth and sky, shot forward like a bolt of lightning, plunging deep into the bull''s throat. After a brief struggle, the second black-horned bull fell into a pool of its own blood. Yogan''s face remained impassive as he withdrew his dagger, marking the spot with a symbol. The school logistics team would later retrieve the beasts'' corpses based on this mark, and their scores would be tallied accordingly. Having taken care of the two beasts, Yogan shifted his gaze to the other two ongoing battles. Mitchell, armed with a shield, was still locked in combat with his black-horned bull. His first-grade warrior physique and stamina allowed him to hold his own for the time being. Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuran''s silver blade danced through the air, striking the black-horned bull with precision each time. Although her strikes left deep injuries, they were not fatal, so she had to wear the beast down gradually. After another fifteen minutes of battle, the black-horned bull, exhausted from the constant injuries, let out a final, pained roar before collapsing to the ground. Jiang Qiuran sheathed her sword, letting out a breath of relief, and a smile of pride crossed her face. Killing a first-level beast alone might not have been a record worth boasting about, but it was still an impressive feat for an ordinary high school student. Hearing the sounds of continued fighting behind her, Jiang Qiuran''s smile widened slightly. She began walking confidently toward the noise. "I''ll handle it!" she called out, her voice laced with arrogance as she strode toward the commotion. "Sister Jiang, help me!" Mitchell''s desperate voice rang out, and he sounded as though he were on the verge of collapse. "Why are there two beasts chasing you? Where''s Yogan?" Jiang Qiuran turned her gaze toward the direction of Mitchell''s voice, a puzzled expression crossing her face. Her sharp eyes scanned the area. Though the black-horned bulls were formidable, Yogan''s strength should have been enough to hold them off. At the very least, he could delay them for a while. "Sister Jiang, Yogan''s just out for personal revenge. You''ve got to testify for me when we get back to school!" Mitchell called out again, his voice tinged with frustration as he was tossed around like a ragdoll by the two beasts. Jiang Qiuran, still puzzled, glanced around. Suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise. In the distance, standing casually with a bored expression, was a young man dressed in black martial arts attire. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes remained vigilant as he surveyed the wilderness. "Why aren''t you helping Mitchell?" she asked, frowning. "We''re all on the same team, you¡ª" she started, but as she spoke, her eyes grew wide in shock. "...You killed two black-horned bulls? When?" "Just now," Yogan replied calmly, nodding. Jiang Qiuran was stunned. She walked toward him, her expression blank as she processed what she had just heard. When she saw the lifeless bodies of the two black-horned bulls, her disbelief deepened. "Sister Jiang, help me!" Mitchell''s desperate cry pierced the air once more. But Jiang Qiuran, frozen in place, didn''t seem to hear him at all. She stood there, motionless, her gaze locked on the scene before her. The pride she had felt moments earlier began to crumble. Both black-horned bulls had been killed in one strike. There were no unnecessary wounds¡ªjust two clean kills, especially the one that had been driven into the ground... "This kind of power..." she thought, her teeth gritting in frustration. Her chest tightened as she glared at Yogan, her red lips trembling with emotion, but she didn''t care that a small trickle of blood now stained them. After a long pause, Jiang Qiuran drew her sword from its sheath with a steely expression on her face. The cold, gleaming blade seemed to pulse with power as she advanced toward Mitchell. "First-level martial arts¡ªIce Slash!" she shouted, her voice carrying the weight of the technique she was about to unleash. The icy aura surrounding her blade merged with her energy, forming a deadly, frigid edge that exuded a menacing aura. "Sister Jiang, you''ve come to save me!" Mitchell shouted, his voice filled with relief as he struggled to fend off the remaining bull. Jiang Qiuran''s blade cut through the air with a sharp hiss, striking the other black-horned bull. "Swish!" The sound of the sword slicing through the air was accompanied by a blast of freezing energy. The cold seeped into the beast''s body, instantly freezing its blood. The beast, once wild and violent, began to slow, its movements becoming sluggish as the ice spread throughout its veins. Finally, with a final cry, the black-horned bull collapsed to the ground. Jiang Qiuran stood over the fallen beast, her breath shallow, her pale face betraying the exhaustion she felt. "I can kill a black-horned bull with one strike!" she thought, though her words felt hollow as she realized how much further she had to go to catch up to Yogan''s incredible strength. Ch14 -Evil Warrior "I can kill the black-horned bull with one strike!" Jiang Qiuran sheathed her knife and raised her eyes slightly, a surge of excitement bubbling within her. "Sister Jiang, there''s another one!" In the distance, the black-horned bull that was facing Mitchell seemed to be reacting to the deaths of its companions. Its body was surrounded by a dark aura, and it appeared to be on the verge of madness. The bull''s black horn relentlessly struck against Mitchell''s battered shield. Jiang Qiuran was too indifferent to pay attention to it. Instead, her gaze shifted toward Yogan. When she saw him sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, completely ignoring the situation around them, she pouted slightly, feeling an odd discomfort. "Recover your strength quickly. We need to continue later." Yogan remained calm as he adjusted his body, preparing for the next challenge. After a moment, he noticed Jiang Qiuran standing there, lost in thought, and couldn''t help but smile faintly. Jiang Qiuran gritted her teeth and nodded, walking over to a large stone, where she silently began practicing basic breathing techniques to regulate her breath. Ten minutes passed before Mitchell finally succeeded in killing the black-horned bull after a prolonged struggle. Exhausted and dragging his damaged shield, he trudged back with a look of deep grievance on his face. "Yogan, you''re taking revenge for personal gain. I''m going to report this to the teacher!" Mitchell exclaimed. Yogan, unfazed, responded indifferently, "Let''s go." Jiang Qiuran, her expression still cold, opened her eyes and followed without a word. "Sister Jiang... You...?" Mitchell asked, his voice filled with confusion as he looked at the girl. Was Jiang Qiuran really following Yogan? He considered leaving the team, but when he glanced at the dark, foreboding wilderness around them, an inexplicable sense of fear crept into his chest. Trembling, he hurried to catch up. --- Bang! Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The ground shook violently in the forest, its surface covered with dry, dead leaves. A fierce roar followed, and the spotted mountain cat, several meters long, pounced on Mitchell, who was still carrying his shield. The cat''s claws gleamed with sharpness, and its tail lashed like a whip, leaving deep scratches in the shield whenever it struck. "Meow!" The piercing cry echoed through the mountains. Suddenly, the mountain cat leapt high into the air, shifting its focus to a new target¡ªJiang Qiuran. The girl had been circling around, keeping the beast at bay. Her presence had pressured the creature, but she didn''t back down. With a swift motion, she advanced as the sharp claws of the mountain cat reached for her. Jiang Qiuran''s long knife flashed with bright red blood, and in one smooth motion, she slashed across the white cat pattern on the beast''s chest. In that instant, a streak of blood splattered across the air. The freezing cold aura surrounding her blade seeped into the wound, causing the violent mountain cat to freeze momentarily. A flash of panic flickered in its deep blue eyes. "Stop it!" Jiang Qiuran commanded, her voice cold and authoritative. Mitchell, gritting his teeth, charged forward and positioned himself between the cat and its retreat path, blocking it from escaping. Another two minutes of struggle passed, and the cold that had seeped into the mountain cat''s body gradually took its toll. The creature, unable to withstand the freezing energy, collapsed, its body stiffening in death. Mitchell, exhausted, sat down on the ground, his shield still clutched in his hand, and let out an excited laugh. "Sister Jiang, we cooperated perfectly! We killed a first-level intermediate beast!" Jiang Qiuran, still panting, turned her gaze toward Yogan. There, she saw another mountain cat lying at his feet. The beast was just as lifeless as the one they had just defeated. And judging by its state, it was still a one-hit kill. Jiang Qiuran''s face flushed with frustration. Her lips tightened as she glanced back at Mitchell, who was still basking in the victory, and muttered under her breath. "Stop laughing! Mark it quickly." Mitchell, hearing the order, quickly got to work marking the beast''s location for the logistics team. "..." "If the cold energy you condensed was more domineering, perhaps this battle would have been much simpler," Yogan commented casually as he dealt with the mountain cat''s corpse. Jiang Qiuran curled her lips, trying to mask her annoyance. On the surface, she appeared indifferent, but the sight of the mountain cat lying motionless in the ground without so much as a struggle made her clench her fists. She thought to herself, "The gap has widened again." "..." The trio continued on their way, moving quickly through the rugged mountain path. The night was cold and still, with only the sounds of their footsteps breaking the silence. Jiang Qiuran''s eyes flicked to Yogan''s steady back. There was something about him that intrigued her, and she couldn''t quite put her finger on it. Suddenly, just as she was lost in thought, Yogan stopped in his tracks. Jiang Qiuran, caught off guard, bumped into him before she could react. Her soft body pressed against his solid back, the unexpected contact causing her heart to skip a beat. The warmth and steadiness of his back sent a strange, comforting feeling through her, and she blinked, her face quickly turning red. "Jiang Jie, why do you deliberately lean on Yogan?" Mitchell''s voice interrupted, full of confusion. From his perspective, it seemed like Jiang Qiuran was being overly forward. "Shut up!" Jiang Qiuran snapped, her voice sharp and cold. Her small hand gripped the scabbard tightly, as if to say that if Mitchell dared to utter another word, she might just slice off his tongue. "There''s movement up ahead," Yogan said, his voice low and serious as he looked to the far right, completely unaffected by the situation behind him. "Another ferocious beast?" Mitchell asked, his voice filled with exhaustion. He hadn''t had much rest, and after battling multiple creatures tonight, he felt like he was running on empty. "I don''t know. Let''s go check it out," Yogan said, his voice calm and composed. Without waiting for a response, he quickened his pace. Jiang Qiuran pursed her lips, feeling both frustrated and curious. She hurried to catch up. --- Under the dim light of the night, a group of about a dozen boys and girls had gathered, all with serious expressions on their faces. They stood in a circle, watching something in the distance with tense anticipation. Two figures leaned lazily against the tree trunks on either side, their eyes gleaming with a sharp, hawk-like focus. Their posture might have been relaxed, but their gaze was intense, tracking every movement of the students like predators observing their prey. "An Evil Warrior?" one of the students whispered under their breath, the words filled with awe and fear. The tension in the air thickened as the group braced themselves for what was about to unfold. Ch15- The Knife Comes Out Three Inches, And The Blood Splashes Five Steps "Evil warrior!?" Yogan and the others crouched behind the dark bushes as Mitchell quickly covered his mouth and whispered. He had only seen evil warriors in TV reports before, but now, to his shock, he was facing one in the wilderness. Jiang Qiuran''s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze focused on the two figures before them. This was clearly her first encounter with such a threat. In the dim light, she could make out the two figures standing before them. The man on the left was tall and thin, looking to be around forty years old. His eyebrows were unnaturally long, hanging down to his cheeks, and he wore a black long gown that made him appear like a bamboo pole. A mocking smile played on his lips as he surveyed the students, his eyes gleaming with predatory amusement. The man on the right was massive, standing nearly two meters tall with a bulging belly. He wore a white robe and wandered among the students, stopping whenever he saw a particularly slender or attractive female student. His expression was one of lewd satisfaction as he ogled them. "What do you want to do?" one of the students asked, his voice shaky with fear. He was a boy with a square face and sword-like eyebrows, standing up bravely despite the clear terror in his eyes. He was from a private high school in Linhai City, and his strength was nearing the first-level breakthrough. He had come here to gain experience, never imagining he would run into evil warriors. The blood fluctuations coming from the two men were overwhelming. It was a suffocating pressure, an absolute suppression in strength. Even if the students outnumbered them, they had no chance of victory. "Help you complete your trial task," the thin man with the bamboo pole figure said, his tone lazy. "Didn''t your school teacher tell you? Encountering warriors in the wilderness area is also part of the trial." The thin man spoke with an air of superiority, clearly mocking the group of inexperienced students. "Yogan, Sister Jiang, we''re all from the same city¡ªcan you help?" Mitchell asked, his voice filled with frustration and helplessness. Jiang Qiuran didn''t respond immediately, her expression cold as she studied the two men before them. "One late-stage first-grade warrior and one mid-stage first-grade warrior. Can you handle them?" Yogan''s voice was low and serious as he scanned the two men before turning his gaze to the shadows further in the distance. A powerful and heart-pounding energy was emanating from there. Jiang Qiuran looked at Yogan''s resolute face and nodded silently. She then walked forward, her presence unwavering. Mitchell, still confused, hesitated but then followed her, knowing there was no turning back.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. --- The appearance of Jiang Qiuran and Mitchell immediately lifted the spirits of the students in distress. The boy with sword-like eyebrows and sharp eyes saw Jiang Qiuran approaching and let out a sigh of relief, his face breaking into an eager smile. "Jiang Qiuran!" Not only did they have help now, but it was strong help! A wave of commotion spread through the group, and the students hurriedly made way, clearing a path for the two of them. Standing before the crowd, with the eyes of the two evil warriors focused on them, Mitchell suddenly felt a dryness in his mouth. After all, it was hard not to feel fear in the presence of an evil warrior, someone who was known for their bloodthirsty ways. Jiang Qiuran gripped the hilt of her knife tightly, standing before Mitchell without flinching. Her gaze swept over the two men before her, cold and unyielding. "Student Jiang, be careful," the boy with sword-like eyebrows warned, watching the tall figure of the girl before him. He couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement¡ªhe was going to fight alongside the top senior in Linhai City. He didn''t feel like he could lose now. "Such a beautiful and attractive girl has come," the fat man remarked, his eyes leering at Jiang Qiuran with an obvious lustful smile. "Generally, those who appear cold on the outside are the most passionate when you get them in bed..." He muttered to himself, his eyes lingering on the girl''s body with wanton disregard. The dirty words coming from the fat man made the air thick with disgust, especially for the boy with sword-like eyebrows, whose eyes nearly burned with rage. "Fatty, show some respect!" Mitchell shouted, his eyes flashing with anger. The thin man, known as the Bamboo Pole, observed the sudden appearance of the two figures. He pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation, his eyes narrowing slightly. After a brief pause, he slowly stepped forward, his voice low as he addressed the students. "We make our living in this wilderness. We don''t want to cause trouble. It''s hard to offend others. You should leave." Although taking down the group of students would take some effort, the girl in front of them looked too dangerous to deal with. Her identity alone made her someone to fear. Besides, they had a mission to complete and didn''t need to get caught up in unnecessary conflict. The students breathed a collective sigh of relief, their gazes filled with admiration and gratitude as they looked at Jiang Qiuran''s figure. "If I hadn''t come, what would have happened to them?" Jiang Qiuran''s voice was cold, but it made the Bamboo Pole pause for a moment as he turned back around. "Of course, they need to learn some lessons. The men will lose a finger, and as for the women..." He grinned lecherously, his eyes still fixed on Jiang Qiuran''s profile. "...Hehe... they are all virgins, so they''ll just shed a little blood for me as a souvenir." The deep voice sent a chill through the air, and the fat man chuckled darkly as he continued to ogle Jiang Qiuran. "Keng!" The girl''s grip on the hilt of her knife tightened, and she drew the blade half an inch. This small movement sent a wave of tension through the air. "What? You still want to fight us?" the fat man sneered, clearly unimpressed. He turned to look at the Bamboo Pole and said indifferently, "How about we leave them all?" His tone was casual, as if this situation was nothing more than a trivial matter. The Bamboo Pole shook his head, his eyes filled with unease, though he still didn''t seem to take the students seriously. "There are things we need to do tonight. Don''t make trouble. Let them go." Clearly, Jiang Qiuran''s action of drawing her knife had made him uncomfortable, but he was still unwilling to engage in unnecessary conflict. "Did you hear that? Get out!" the fat man growled, his face growing colder, his expression hardening with malice. Jiang Qiuran didn''t respond, instead giving a quick glance at Mitchell, who was standing slightly behind her, his hands trembling slightly. "I''ll leave the fat one to you," she said calmly. "Ah...?...Okay...!" Mitchell stammered, his heart racing as he clenched his fists around his shield. He instinctively wanted to retreat, but recalling Yogan''s words earlier, he steeled himself and stepped forward, preparing for the fight. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, the silence broken only by the distant sounds of the wilderness. "Clang!" The sharp blade was unsheathed in full, its gleaming edge catching the dim light. Jiang Qiuran took a step forward, her blood and qi fluctuations flaring with the power of a first-grade level six warrior, her gaze fixed on the thin Bamboo Pole, ready for the confrontation. Behind her, the boy with sword-like eyebrows, still filled with a mixture of awe and fear, shouted, "Hongyi High School, stay and help classmate Jiang!" "..." "Hehe, are young people so eager now?" The Bamboo Pole''s voice was low and mocking, but Jiang Qiuran remained focused. She didn''t answer, her eyes instead shifting to the dark depths ahead. Without hesitation, her blade cut through the air, aiming straight for the Bamboo Pole''s neck. Ch16 -The Fear of the Blue Wolf Compared to the tense atmosphere outside, the deep woods were eerily quiet. Yogan followed the faint fluctuations, quietly moving toward the source. He could faintly hear the sound of something chewing from ahead. Suddenly, a pair of glowing green eyes appeared in the darkness of the forest, like ghostly flames. Yogan was momentarily startled, then looked closer. What he saw was a giant wolf, as large as an off-road vehicle! The creature opened its bloody mouth as if it were swallowing food, its fangs more than half a foot long and sharp as daggers. "Swish!" The giant wolf noticed Yogan''s figure, but it only glanced at him before retracting its gaze. It returned to lying lazily, half-reclined, its scarlet tongue continuing to lick its food. To the wolf, the human in front of it was no threat at all. Yogan observed the beast as it ate, carefully sensing its blood and qi level. "Level 1 peak, but there seems to be some fluctuation?" "Is it injured?" Yogan thought, intrigued. "Ah!" The giant wolf, noticing the human standing there, suddenly raised its head and let out a low, guttural roar. It seemed to say, I''m not in the mood to deal with you today, so get out of here! Yogan smiled slightly and scanned the area. After confirming that there were no other beasts around, he took a cautious step forward. Seeing this, the giant wolf''s green eyes glinted with irritation. It raised its claws to wipe the blood from the corner of its mouth and let out another growl¡ªthis time more impatient. It was the last warning. However, in that instant, the giant wolf suddenly tensed up as it realized that the human was now less than three meters away from it. In the next second, Yogan looked over, his eyes cast downward. There seemed to be an overwhelming aura of murderous intent in those dark eyes. For reasons it couldn''t explain, the giant wolf felt an unprecedented sense of danger creeping in.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Its heart pounded as its muscles tensed. Ignoring the food beneath it, the wolf tried to rise quickly. But it found that the human had already closed the distance, standing barely half a meter away from it. The white palm of the human silently rested on its towering back. A terrifying sense of death flooded the wolf''s senses. "..." Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuran gritted her teeth, gripping the hilt of her knife with both hands. The cold light of her blade passed through the air like flowing water. The thin bamboo pole opposite her smiled and easily deflected the attacks. "Little girl," he sneered, "you think you can use the weak to defeat the strong? Isn''t that too na?ve?" "You so-called geniuses..." he continued, shaking his head with a mock sigh. "Let me tell you today that the accumulation of time is more valuable than talent..." On the other side, the fat man roared and launched a punch at Chen Quan''s shield. The force of the blow made Chen Quan''s hands numb, and his face contorted with pain. Behind him, the young man with sword-like eyebrows and several other students collapsed to the ground, clutching their chests in fear. In just a few seconds of fighting, four or five people had already lost their ability to continue. "Little girl, haven''t you learned the principle of quitting when you''re ahead?" The thin bamboo pole sneered. "You''re just asking for trouble." Seizing the opportunity, he slapped away the cold light of Jiang Qiuran''s blade with a single palm. The power of the first-grade seventh-level warrior exploded, his claws arcing toward Jiang Qiuran in a thunderous motion. In an instant, they pinched her fair neck. A trace of panic flashed in the girl''s eyes. She struggled, her beautiful face turning red as she gasped for air. The powerful force held her in place, and Jiang Qiuran''s eyes began to dim with despair. It wasn''t that she was careless; it was that she had already expended too much energy fighting the beast earlier. Otherwise, she could have held on longer. Just then, a violent roar shook the area, accompanied by the sound of something exploding. Kacha¡ª Trees splintered and leaves were scattered in all directions. A huge black figure was sent flying through the air, crashing through the wood chips. Like a cannonball fired in the night, the beast slammed into the ground before the stunned onlookers. The earth trembled, and grass and stones flew into the air. The thin bamboo pole trembled and turned, his eyes wide with disbelief. Jiang Qiuran stared blankly at the night, a faint light spilling from her dimming eyes. The fat man, still furious, glanced back. There was steaming blood in the debris that had been splattered across the ground. Tap-tap... Accompanied by the faint sound of footsteps, a strong killing intent quickly enveloped everyone. Yogan''s right fist hung lightly by his side as he appeared in everyone''s sight. "Green Ghost Wolf!" The thin bamboo pole stared at the figure emerging from the shadows, his expression cracking in an instant. "Who... are you?" The purpose of the thin bamboo pole and the fat man was to guard the injured Green Ghost Wolf. But even injured, it was still a fierce beast at the peak of the first level. How could it be easily sent flying? The identity of the person who had appeared was unknown, and the most terrifying thing was the faint killing intent that hung in the air. Was this person an enemy or a friend? "Cough... cough..." The Green Ghost Wolf collapsed to the ground, its face twisted in pain. All the blood and flesh it had previously swallowed were now expelled, along with stomach acid. Its already serious injury had been aggravated. The wolf struggled to rise, its muscular limbs clawing at the ground with fierce determination. It glared, its breathing ragged and heavy, as though it would tear everything in its path apart in the next moment. But the thin bamboo pole, ever alert, noticed something strange. Despite the wolf''s terrifying appearance, deep within its green eyes, there was something unexpected... Fear. Ch17- One Punch Kills! "Can we have a discussion...?" The thin bamboo pole looked at the figure radiating with murderous intent, his mind racing to choose his words carefully. In the dark night, he couldn''t make out the other person''s face clearly, but the overwhelming aura of danger that radiated from him made it clear: this was no ordinary opponent. Yogan raised his head, his gaze briefly catching the girl who was trapped in the palm of the evil warrior. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of grievance and helplessness. "Woo... woo!" she tried to speak, but all that escaped her lips was a faint sound. The thin bamboo pole immediately picked up on the subtle relationship between them. He was about to speak, but before he could, the fat man beside him grinned and spoke up. "F**k! A little brat who hasn''t even grown all his hair¡ªhe almost scared me!" With that, he turned toward Yogan and, licking his lips, rushed forward, his massive body charging directly at him. "Second brother, don''t!" The thin bamboo pole was startled, his attempt to stop the fat man too late. Yogan remained still, his slightly raised right fist glowing with a faint white light. He watched calmly as the heavy-set man charged toward him. "Haha, just what I wanted!" The fat man bared his teeth and laughed manically. His palm, large enough to crush a small tree, shot toward Yogan, aiming to slam him down. The fierce wind generated by the fat man''s massive palm whipped through the air, causing Yogan''s hair to flutter wildly. In the dim starlight, the handsome features of his face became briefly illuminated, reflecting in the fat man''s eyes. The next second... The fists and palms collided. Bang! A thunderous explosion echoed, the shockwave radiating outward, centered on the two combatants. The grin on the fat man''s face froze instantly. His pupils dilated in terror. Indescribable horror gripped him as, before he could process the situation, a surge of power blasted through him. Boom! The force of Yogan''s punch surged through the fat man''s palm and straight into his body. His eyes, now bloodshot and wide, filled with shock and disbelief.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The huge man was sent flying back, his body lifting off the ground like a ragdoll, propelled by the immense energy. The bones in his body cracked and groaned under the strain of the energy, his massive frame twisting and contorting midair. Scarlet blood burst from his mouth, spilling out in thick spurts. Bang! The fat man''s body slammed heavily to the ground in front of Chen Quan and the others, the earth trembling beneath the impact. "Yuan... Brother Yuan..." Chen Quan gasped, his voice barely above a whisper as he supported the broken shield in his hands. His heart raced with disbelief. Behind him, the young man with sword-shaped eyebrows and bright eyes, his chest heaving, stared blankly. "Too... too strong!" he stammered, the words barely escaping his throat. The mighty warrior who had them cornered just moments ago had been defeated in a single blow by someone of their own age. It felt like a dream to him. --- Meanwhile, the Green Ghost Wolf opened its massive mouth and let out a roar that shook the air like the tolling of a great bell. A fierce breath surged from its body, enough to make even the students who had yet to enter the first grade stagger back, some of them falling to the ground in an attempt to steady themselves. "This beast is on their side!" Chen Quan realized with horror, his grip tightening on his shield. He gritted his teeth, determined to help. "Brother Yuan, save Sister Jiang first! I''ll hold it off!" But Yogan didn''t seem to hear him. His dark eyes were fixed on the man and the beast in the field, his focus unwavering. Slowly, he loosened his clenched fist and spread his palm wide. In contrast to the fat man''s fierce palm earlier, Yogan''s right hand was slender and delicate, yet... The moment the red and white light mark began to glow on his palm, the energy around them shifted violently. The Green Ghost Wolf, towering in size, trembled as a wave of fear swept over it. Its green eyes widened in shock as it suddenly turned and fled, without a moment''s hesitation. That force was something it couldn''t possibly withstand, even at its peak. The wolf''s powerful limbs pushed off the ground, propelling it forward with lightning speed. It crossed more than ten meters in an instant, not even daring to glance back. It disappeared into the night, leaving only a faint rustling in its wake. Chen Quan, still gripping his shield, watched in disbelief. His eyes widened with confusion and awe. "Am I... am I really that strong?" he muttered, unable to believe his own eyes. "This beast didn''t even dare to look at me?!" --- The thin bamboo pole watched with growing dread as the Green Ghost Wolf fled. His heart raced with panic. Tonight, he had hoped to have some fun with these students, but he had unwittingly stumbled upon a true monster. His eyes darkened, his breath quickening. He began to retreat, holding the girl tightly in his arms, his steps hurried. But Yogan''s gaze never left him. The mere weight of Yogan''s stare made his scalp tingle with fear. "Don''t move, or else..." the thin bamboo pole warned, his voice trembling as he gripped the girl''s neck tighter. But before he could finish his sentence, Yogan took a step forward. The calmness in his gaze unsettled the thin bamboo pole, and for some reason, his claws, which had been gripping the girl''s neck, began to tremble. Jiang Qiuran, her lips trembling, watched as Yogan stepped closer to her. A bitter smile crossed her face as she closed her eyes tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I told you not to come any closer..." she whispered to herself, but her words were drowned out by the suffocating tension in the air. The thin bamboo pole''s grip on her neck tightened as he raised his right arm in a last-ditch effort to maintain control. But in that instant... The terrifying aura of death engulfed his heart. ch18: Killing The Green Ghost Wolf The horrifying breath of death suddenly seized the thin bamboo pole''s heart. In an instant, Yogan''s agile figure appeared in front of him, closing the distance in just two or three steps. With a swift motion, his violent palm descended, radiating an indescribable power and sharpness that made the thin bamboo pole instinctively want to turn and flee. But in that moment, his years of experience as an old Taoist practitioner helped him steady his mind. He tossed the girl aside like a discarded sack, his body tensing as if preparing to face an overwhelming force. Clenching his fists, the thin bamboo pole rushed forward, throwing everything he had into his desperate attack, hoping to withstand Yogan''s terrifying blow and escape with his life. The palm and fist collided. In an instant... The red and white light mark that had been faintly visible in Yogan''s palm suddenly flared brightly. The world seemed to tremble as a destructive force surged out, spreading like a shockwave. The brilliance of the explosion was blinding, as though Yogan were holding a blood-red sun in his hand. Bang! A violent aura swept through the air, the force so intense it seemed to crush everything in its path. The scarlet blood and pure white energy intermingled, tearing through the thin bamboo pole''s defenses as if they were made of paper. His arms shattered under the overwhelming force, the bones breaking with a sickening crack. The surging power coursed through his body, ripping apart his internal organs in an instant. As bright red blood sprayed from his body, the thin bamboo pole''s pupils widened in shock and terror. His breath came in ragged gasps, and the last words he managed to speak were barely audible: "God... gifted monster!" With a final, pitiful sound, his body crumpled to the ground like a broken bamboo pole. Yogan closed his palm, and the red and white light dimmed, fading away. He bent down, quickly rifling through the corpse, his eyes scanning for any useful items. He couldn''t afford to miss the spoils of the battle. But then, he noticed Jiang Qiuran sitting on the ground nearby. She had turned her head, deliberately avoiding Yogan''s gaze, clearly unsettled by the violent display. "If I had hesitated just now, you would have died," Yogan said seriously, his voice calm but firm. "I understand... but it doesn''t feel good," Jiang Qiuran mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. She bit her lip and hesitantly placed her small hand in his outstretched palm. "Thank you." "It''s okay. You take them to rest. I''ll go after the wolf," Yogan replied before turning away and leaving swiftly. The Green Ghost Wolf was injured, and it was an opportunity he couldn''t afford to miss. --- In the quiet forest, the Green Ghost Wolf''s frantic pace slowed as it panted heavily, exhaling hot air that blew away the dead leaves around it. Its head hung low as it trudged forward, glancing back nervously. Behind it was only darkness. After running for what seemed like an eternity, the wolf finally stopped, still filled with lingering fear. Its tough fur was matted with sweat, and it could feel the sharp sting of the wounds it had sustained. Blood and sweat mixed together, and the pain seemed to intensify with every step it took.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. With a low growl, the Green Ghost Wolf instinctively found a large boulder and half-crouched, licking at its wounds. Its eyes were filled with confusion and fear. It couldn''t understand what had just happened. It had been hunting in the wilderness, trying to catch some prey, when suddenly it became the target of a human with terrifying power. The wolf had reached the brink of its second level of strength, yet it felt utterly powerless in the face of Yogan. It couldn''t match the human''s speed, technique, or energy. It let out an angry snarl, slapping its claws against the boulder in frustration. How could such a weak, puny human be so strong? But before the wolf could dwell further on its thoughts, it froze, sensing something. It suddenly jerked its head up, its eyes scanning the area above the boulder. There, a dark figure emerged, accompanied by faint footsteps. "Roar!" the Green Ghost Wolf bellowed, but this time, the roar wasn''t one of dominance¡ªit was filled with panic, a cry of pure fear. The beast''s body tensed as it leaped into the air, ready to flee. But what it saw next only intensified its terror. Yogan''s figure materialized in the shadows, his eyes cold and unyielding, like a predator closing in on its prey. "Woo... Woo!" The old wolf''s body was stiff with dread, and it let out a mournful cry. It seemed to be asking, why was it being pursued? Why was it being hunted down by this human? Yogan didn''t understand the wolf''s mournful wail, but his intentions were clear. He extended his hands, and the energy around them began to pulse, creating a powerful gust of wind that whipped through the forest. Under the dark hair that danced in the wind, Yogan''s eyes were calm, yet they radiated an undeniable murderous intent. In this era of the revival of heaven and earth, humans and beasts were destined to be enemies. And the wolf in front of him was a man-eating monster. "Roar!" the Green Ghost Wolf roared once more, its last-ditch effort to intimidate the human. It gathered its remaining strength, preparing for the final battle. --- The wind howled as the man and beast stood facing each other, a tense standoff. The Green Ghost Wolf bared its sharp fangs, its eyes locked on Yogan''s right palm. From there, it could smell the unmistakable scent of death. Yogan took in the wolf''s expression, recognizing the fear in its eyes. His own dark eyes narrowed with determination, a flash of cold fury passing through them. With a swift motion, Yogan raised his right hand, and in the next moment, his body erupted with explosive force. He rushed downward, his momentum overwhelming as the light seal on his palm flared brightly. It struck the wolf''s forehead with the power of a crashing wave. The impact sent the Green Ghost Wolf''s massive body crashing into the ground with an earth-shaking thud. The force was so powerful that the ground itself seemed to tremble under the impact. However, despite the overwhelming force, the Green Ghost Wolf''s green eyes flickered with a faint, stubborn light. The wolf''s will to survive was strong, and it fought back, refusing to succumb easily. With a final roar, the Green Ghost Wolf summoned all its remaining energy, its claws flashing forward with lightning speed, aimed directly at Yogan''s chest. This attack was its last chance, a desperate attempt to pierce through the human''s arrogance and defeat him. But Yogan''s expression remained unchanged. His eyes were as cold as ever, unshaken by the wolf''s fury. Without hesitation, Yogan shifted his body slightly, positioning himself perfectly to intercept the wolf''s strike. He moved forward, his right shoulder colliding with the wolf''s claws, absorbing the blow without flinching. The Green Ghost Wolf''s claws sank deep into Yogan''s shoulder, and blood sprayed into the air. But there was no satisfaction in the wolf''s eyes. Instead, it was met with the deepest despair. Yogan winced in pain, his face contorting slightly as the claws dug into his flesh. But even as the blood flowed from his wound, he didn''t falter. His left hand, hidden beneath his body, gripped a black dagger. In a flash, the dagger slashed through the air like a snake, cutting into the wolf''s tough skin. The blade tore through the wolf''s neck, severing its carotid artery and cutting through part of its cervical vertebrae. "Swish!" The dagger sliced through with precision, and the wolf''s head drooped as the life drained from its body. With a final, mournful howl, the Green Ghost Wolf collapsed to the ground, its once-mighty form now lifeless and still. Yogan stood over the fallen beast, his face set in grim determination, knowing that in this world of constant conflict, only the strongest would survive. Ch19-God Wars Past After confirming that the Green Ghost Wolf was completely dead, Yogan panted slightly, a trace of fatigue appearing on his face. "The wilderness area is still very dangerous. I almost lost my life here." He glanced at the wolf claw that had pierced his shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly. The injury seemed to be quite serious. Gritting his teeth, Yogan mobilized the energy in his body to quickly gather around the wound. Then, he suddenly yanked the thick claw out, pulling a large chunk of flesh and blood with it. Enduring the excruciating pain, Yogan gritted his teeth and began to mark the injury. At that moment, he noticed something strange¡ªwithin the Green Ghost Wolf''s wide eyes, the two green eyeballs still had a faint light seeping out. "Good stuff!" The Green Ghost Wolf had been able to block his martial art, "Palm Yin and Yang," because of these special eyeballs that emitted a dim glow. Yogan was puzzled for a moment before stepping on the wolf''s giant body. He pulled out a dagger and carefully dug out the two glowing eyeballs. The glass-like eyeballs were cold to the touch, sending a chill through his fingers. Yogan was secretly surprised, quickly pocketing the eyes before turning to leave. Just then, the panel beside him flickered, and everything around him began to blur. The once quiet forest slowly faded away. When Yogan looked up again, he found himself standing in front of dilapidated ruins. The face of a woman, clearly frightened, stared at him. "Is it the game world again?" Yogan realized with a start, blinking at the woman in front of him. Since the cellular respiration method had already provided him such a boost, he figured there must be more valuable things hidden in this game world, things worth exploring. "Thank... Thank you!" the woman said, trotting toward him, her chest rising and falling with each step. "Thank you," she said sincerely, her voice hoarse but filled with gratitude. Yogan remained silent, keeping a distance, his gaze fixed on her. A stranger in this chaotic game world, and a relatively beautiful woman¡ªsurviving here couldn''t be easy. "Introduce yourself," Yogan said flatly, staring directly into her slightly wide eyes. "My name is He Qing..." "..."This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. After half an hour of conversation, Yogan learned a lot of valuable information about this world. "War Era 58? What kind of war happened here?" Yogan asked, his confusion growing as he looked around at the broken walls and ruins. To be able to destroy a city so completely, the scale of this war must have been immense. He also fabricated a lie to explain his past during his time asleep. "I entered the gene warehouse and fell asleep 100 years ago. I didn''t expect the world to have changed so much." He Qing''s gaze dropped, her handsome face clouded with sadness. She sighed deeply. "God War..." "God War?!" Yogan''s pupils contracted slightly. Though he had guessed that the war was large-scale, he hadn''t expected it to involve gods. After all, Yogan was a complete atheist in the real world. The dual development of martial arts and technology had long buried the concept of "God" in the annals of history. "But... the world view of this game seems quite grand," Yogan thought silently to himself. "Yes," He Qing continued, "The older generation says it was a war between gods. Many alien gods invaded..." She spoke about the war between gods, the ruins, and the town, clearly trying to get closer to Yogan. "By the way, you just mentioned a human warrior camp in the ruins town. Can you take me there?" Yogan wasn''t particularly interested in the details of the God War. That topic felt too distant from him at the moment. What he really wanted was to find other warriors in the ruins town, gather more valuable items. He Qing hesitated for a moment but, after her eyes scanned the pigman corpse on the ground, she pursed her lips and nodded. "Come with me." The two began walking through the ruined city, He Qing following a familiar route toward the camp. Along the way, she seemed to be filled with relief, showing signs of escaping death, and her behavior toward Yogan was respectful and obedient. As they passed through the destroyed alleys, Yogan automatically activated the cellular respiration method, hoping to reach the camp in the best possible state. But suddenly, his eyes widened. The cellular respiration method, which usually ran at high speed in the real world and absorbed energy from the environment like a bottomless pit, began to slow down dramatically the deeper they ventured into the ruins. It was like a snail trying to climb a tree¡ªextremely sluggish. This discovery made Yogan frown. "The energy of heaven and earth in this area seems too scarce." It couldn''t support his recovery and cultivation at all. Without the backup of energy stored in the real world, Yogan couldn''t fight at full capacity. "The game world in front of me is even more bizarre and mysterious than I imagined!" Yogan turned to He Qing and asked deliberately as they passed through a dilapidated path. "He Qing, what rank are you?" She stroked her hair and sighed helplessly. "I can barely be considered a first-rank warrior." As she spoke, she glanced up at the gray sky above them. After a brief pause, she continued, her tone slightly more thoughtful: "After the God War, the energy of heaven and earth was destroyed, and with the invasion of the breath of alien gods, it''s become too difficult for warriors who rely on breathing to improve their strength." "Though I barely made it to the first rank, the strength I can actually exert is probably equivalent to a high-level martial arts apprentice from before." He Qing looked at Yogan, her expression complicated. "I heard that before the God War, the energy of heaven and earth was particularly abundant. Every warrior could absorb it to their heart''s content, and their martial arts strength improved rapidly." Yogan nodded silently. Then he asked, "What rank is the strongest warrior in your camp?" If the strongest warrior was too powerful, would Yogan be in danger by entering? Yogan rubbed his temples, lost in thought, but was soon reassured by the next words. "Brother Yang is a second-rank warrior. He''s always been very kind and takes good care of everyone in the camp. He''s a really good person." He Qing spoke with affection as she walked, her mood clearly lifted as they neared a collapsed building. "The basement of the building in front is our camp..." She pointed ahead with a touch of excitement. But before she could finish her sentence, Yogan''s expression changed abruptly. Without warning, he rushed forward and grabbed He Qing, pulling her to the side. The two of them quickly moved to safety. At that moment, a scarlet blood shadow shot out from the ruins and rubble. Ch20- Extraordinary Realm, The Road to Becoming a God? A scarlet blood shadow suddenly emerged from the ruins. The hand that was originally aimed at He Qing''s chest swung wide, falling empty. "Huh?" A surprised sound escaped as Yogan rolled on the ground with the woman in his arms, looking at the blood shadow with heightened vigilance. When he felt the breath of the approaching entity, his pupils suddenly contracted. "Level 1 peak!" Where the woman had just stood, a figure in a blood-colored long gown was crouched, surrounded by surging blood. "There are still survivors. I can continue to feast," the figure hissed. Yogan stood up, his face grim, blood surging through his limbs in preparation. Before him, the blood shadow slowly raised its head, revealing narrow, triangular vertical pupils that glowed with a sinister and terrifying light. It was a snake-man. More precisely, it was a grotesque monster with a snake''s head and a human body. Its entire body was covered in blood-colored scales that shimmered, making it appear even more bizarre. As the snake-man spoke, Yogan was hit with a pungent, foul smell, as though death itself had followed him into the world. The snake-man fixed his gaze on Yogan, a strange, twisted smile spreading across its face¡ªgloomy and malevolent. Then, its eyes shifted to He Qing behind him. The woman''s full figure, especially her exposed white skin beneath her tattered clothes, caught the snake-man''s attention. His eyes gleamed with hunger. The snake-man''s tongue flicked out, wetting his lips with a snake-like gesture. "I didn''t expect to enjoy this again. This is worth defending¡­" he hissed, his long tail whipping the ground like a whip, his entire body trembling with excitement. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Another mutant beast!" Yogan''s heart raced, and his body tensed. The blood-colored snake-man before him posed a far greater threat than the previous Qingyou Wolf. The vertical pupils gleamed with cold, calculating cunning. "Camp... Camp?" He Qing bit her lip, her gaze locked on the building not far away, where the strong stench of blood filled the air. "Brother Yang... They wouldn''t..." The woman murmured, disbelief in her voice, her eyes starting to mist with unshed tears. Yogan didn''t care for He Qing''s emotional turmoil. The camp was her home, but it held no personal significance to him. "Hey, kid, want to make a deal?" The snake-man twisted his neck, producing a series of ominous clicks. "Send the woman behind you, and I''ll help you open the door to the new world... How about it?" Yogan frowned in confusion, puzzled by the snake-man''s words. The power system of this world seemed to be far more intricate than he had anticipated. At that moment, He Qing tugged at his arm, panic in her voice as she shouted frantically. "Don''t... don''t listen to him! That''s the power of the devil. Once you sink into it, you''ll become a walking corpse!" He Qing was visibly terrified of this power. Her shoulders trembled, and her pretty face twisted with dread. She had witnessed too many people succumb to the allure of such power, only to become uncontrollable mutant monsters¡ªbeasts that could no longer retain their humanity. She didn''t want Yogan to become like that. "..." At that moment, Yogan''s hand reached out, pressing gently on her trembling body, stilling her movements. He Qing snapped back to reality, her body halting its tremors. She stared at Yogan, trying to gauge what he would do next. "Tell me about that power," Yogan''s voice came, calm but piercing. His words were like a whisper from the devil itself. There was always a price for power. He Qing, her face filled with disappointment, lowered her gaze. She didn''t want to hear any more of this conversation. The snake-man''s cold smile widened, his tense body relaxing with satisfaction. In the chaotic world that had emerged after the God War, the original energy of heaven and earth had collapsed, and humanity''s thirst for power had become greater than ever before. Naturally, Yogan¡ªjust like many others¡ªcould not resist the allure of such overwhelming power. "As long as you are willing to devoutly believe in God, God will grant you power," the snake-man said in a hoarse voice. "So simple?" Yogan asked, still confused. "Of course not..." The snake-man''s voice was laced with mockery as he stood tall, his eyes gleaming with something dark. "If you want to gain the recognition of God, you must transform your body, like me. This is the first step." The snake-man''s gaze lingered on his own body with satisfaction. "Once the transformation is complete, and you continuously believe in the true God, you will begin to feel the power wandering between heaven and earth. Absorb it, and you will rapidly break through to level three... This is the second step." The snake-man''s eyes glowed with enthusiasm, as if he could already taste the immense power that was so close. "The third step!" he continued, his voice rising in excitement. "The true God will feel your faith. After reaching level three, you will truly gain God''s affirmation, absorb the power of God, and enter the extraordinary realm!" "Above the extraordinary is the road to becoming a god!" The snake-man spread his arms, his voice sharp and triumphant, as if he were a demon claiming victory. Yogan remained silent, his expression unreadable, though confusion swirled in his eyes. "Above level three... the extraordinary realm... the road to becoming a god...?" This training system was completely different from the martial arts he was familiar with in reality. He thought back to what his teacher had taught him during class. "Martial arts are divided into nine grades." "Below the first grade, practice blood and qi. From the first to the third grade, forge the body. The fourth, fifth, and sixth grades refine the qi." "The seventh grade marks a master, the eighth a great master, and the ninth, the strongest!" The extraordinary realm and the road to becoming a god, however, were entirely new concepts that had never been mentioned in his previous life. "What is the extraordinary realm, and how does one become a god?" Yogan''s mind raced, trying to comprehend this foreign system of power. The answers he sought were buried in the chaos of the God War and the strange world around him. The path to becoming a god was unknown, but Yogan was determined to find out. 021 Kill The Mutant Snake Man! "What is the extraordinary, and how does one become a god?" Yogan looked at the snake man with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. "Hehe, I''ll tell you if you hand this woman over to me." The snake man extended a sharp finger and pointed at He Qing, who was still trembling in fear. "There is only one chance. If you''re willing, I can be your guide." "Really?" Yogan hesitated for a moment, but his expression soon showed a hint of expectation. "Of course," the snake man replied confidently. "Then you take her," Yogan said, pushing the woman beside him out with an indifferent expression. "In exchange, tell me how to enter the extraordinary realm." He Qing buried her head, a deep sense of loss filling her eyes, which quickly transformed into deeper despair. The snake man was momentarily stunned, but then his lips curled into a sinister smile. His expression became even more intense. "Of course!" He licked his lips, his gaze lingering greedily on He Qing''s trembling, plump form. "The extraordinary realm is more mysterious than you and I could have imagined!" Power is the most intoxicating poison. Once you taste it, you never want to let it go. Especially in the current age, where the energies of heaven and earth are collapsing, the strength of warriors is advancing at a glacial pace. It''s difficult for anyone to endure such a painful process. So it was only natural for the young man to agree. The snake man relaxed his guard a little, his gaze fixated on He Qing''s body. He swallowed, clearly hungry and eager. "Bring her to me, and I''ll help you take the first step." Yogan nodded, "Okay." But just then, He Qing, her head still bowed, suddenly burst out with all her strength. She broke free from Yogan''s grip and dashed away like a frightened rabbit. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Yogan was momentarily stunned. He seemed a fraction too slow, allowing her to slip past him. Seeing this, the snake man hissed, spitting out his scarlet tongue. His impatience was evident as he glared at Yogan. "Idiot!" He cursed silently, and his body surged with anger. His legs kicked off the ground with explosive force, and he shot forward like a cheetah, covering more than ten meters in the blink of an eye. As he passed Yogan, he spared him only a brief glance, not caring too much about him. "Why don''t you help me chase? Don''t you want to see the extraordinary realm?" "Of course, of course..." Yogan responded with a smile, his black and white eyes clear and steady. Hearing this, the snake man''s vigilance and impatience lessened considerably. He focused back on his target and continued to chase He Qing. But then, suddenly, his scarlet pupils contracted. An unbearable pain shot through his body. Yogan had moved with lightning speed, his white palm landing on the snake man''s scaly back. A brilliant light, a combination of red and white, shone from his hand. He Qing, who had been running, stopped in her tracks. Her whole body shook with disbelief as she looked back. Yogan slowly withdrew his right hand, and the domineering light in his palm had already shattered the snake man''s scales, sinking deep into its flesh and blood. The snake man froze in place, his body trembling. He turned his head to face Yogan, his expression blank and confused. "I promised to show you the extraordinary realm. Why did you sneak attack me? And how could you break through my defenses?" Yogan slapped the snake man''s chest again and spoke coldly. "The extraordinary realm you mentioned... doesn''t seem to have much appeal to me." With those words, the black steel bar that had slipped off Yogan''s sleeve shot forward, stabbing straight into the snake man''s scarlet eyes. Blood splattered, adding a bright contrast to the gray, lifeless earth. "If there''s a way to become a god... I''ll go and see it for you." Yogan''s voice turned colder and colder, as he mercilessly yanked the steel bar out and drove it into the snake man''s forehead once more. "Puff!" The force behind the strike was so immense that it pierced the back of the snake man''s head, sending it crashing into the ground with brutal force. At that moment, He Qing stood frozen, her body as stiff as a statue. Her mind was blank, unable to process what she had just witnessed. She watched as Yogan repeatedly pulled the steel bar out, then thrust it back into the snake man''s body, until it looked like a hornet''s nest. The sheer ruthlessness of it all was beyond her comprehension. "It... it''s dead..." He Qing whispered, her voice trembling. "I''m finishing off the enemy," Yogan replied, his actions cold and efficient. "Finishing... finishing off the enemy?" He Qing''s voice quivered as she watched Yogan, the bloody figure standing over the now-lifeless snake man. She wondered if staying was the right choice. But even if she wanted to flee, her legs felt too weak to move. "Huh..." she gasped as Yogan paused, taking a deep breath, preparing to finish the job. But just then, a message appeared on the panel beside him. [Kill a Level 1 peak mutant beast and gain 300 experience points.] Yogan''s lips curled into a grin, and he finally stopped. "Mutants are certainly resilient," he mused, "But... 300 experience points? That''s a nice reward!" He Qing collapsed to the ground, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. The fear inside her had not dissipated, but when Yogan turned to look at her, she felt a shudder run through her body. A creepy, unsettling sensation spread through her, making her skin crawl. "I was just finishing off the enemy. You might not understand," Yogan explained seriously, as he began to search the snake man''s body in the pool of blood. Unfortunately, there was nothing of value. The extraordinary realm, the road to becoming a god... the snake man''s words weren''t entirely without merit. But the first step¡ªdevotion to a so-called god¡ªstruck Yogan as ridiculous. After a long moment, He Qing''s cold hands and feet finally began to warm. She hesitantly approached Yogan, her voice trembling as she asked: "Just now... you were pretending, right?" "What do you mean by just now...?" Yogan asked, his brow furrowing slightly. "When you handed me over," He Qing said carefully, as if waiting for confirmation. Yogan smiled and stood up from the blood-soaked ground. "Well, what he said was tempting, but I''ve been able to resist temptation since I was a child." "Thank you. I owe you twice now," He Qing said, her eyes reddened as tears mixed with a nervous laugh. "It''s okay," Yogan waved it off casually. "Next time, I''ll give you a heads-up if something like this happens again." He Qing smiled faintly, her heart still pounding in her chest. She turned her gaze toward the building filled with a blood-red haze. Yogan followed her gaze. His expression darkened. The only camp in the ruined town was gone. Ch22 -The Only Survivor "Let''s go in and take a look. Maybe there are still some survivors," Yogan said, his voice tinged with a sense of disappointment as he looked at the dilapidated building. After much effort, he had finally found a human camp, but he hadn''t expected it to be overrun by mutant beasts. Now, finding useful information or rare items had become nearly impossible. "Oh, I just remembered something," He Qing said suddenly, her face lighting up with a glimmer of hope. "There are dark rooms in the camp. Brother Yang and his friends might have hidden there to avoid the beasts." He Qing clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture, hoping that someone had managed to survive by chance. Yogan sighed and nodded, then began walking down the stairs. The walls were stained with blood, and the ground was smeared red. As the light grew dimmer, a half-covered steel door came into view. They approached and pushed it open, and a strong, pungent smell of blood instantly assaulted their senses. Inside, the simple facilities were scattered about, and blood nearly covered the entire floor. Yet, there were no human corpses to be seen. Yogan''s brow furrowed slightly. A faint glow appeared in his eyes as he quickly scanned the underground camp. "In which direction is the dark room?" Yogan asked, his voice low. He Qing pointed toward a small, deep, and dark door. Yogan was about to move toward it when suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps echoed through the underground camp. Both of them froze, surprised. The small door to the dark room creaked open from the inside, and a tall figure stepped out silently. With the remaining light, Yogan could make out the person''s features. The man had a straight face, a broad back, and a strong build. He wore black tights that made him appear particularly tough and neat. "Yang... Brother Yang!" He Qing exclaimed in a low cry, her voice filled with excitement. Yogan immediately sensed something was wrong. Before he could caution He Qing to stay quiet and out of sight, she had already dashed forward. "Yang... Brother Yang! Are you... are you okay?" He Qing called out as she ran toward the man. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. The tall figure tensed for a moment at the sound of her voice, but when he saw the familiar face, he relaxed. The two of them spoke briefly at the entrance to the dark room, then their eyes shifted toward Yogan''s hiding place. "F**k! This woman!" Yogan muttered under his breath, a surge of frustration rising in his chest. He had never felt this angry before. Compared to Jiang Qiuran, He Qing, this woman from another world, seemed to have placed all her intelligence in her chest. In such a critical situation, she had easily exposed their position¡ªjust like a teammate who unintentionally sabotaged the mission. "Friend, thank you for saving Xiaoqing. I can take you to another human camp," the deep voice of the tall man echoed through the basement. Yogan''s expression grew colder. He quietly shifted his position, slowly retreating toward the high steel door. The subtle fluctuations emanating from the tall man indicated a power beyond Yogan''s current abilities. "Xiaoqing, your friend doesn''t seem to want to come out to see me," the man¡ªYang Yi¡ªsaid with a faint smile, his eyes focused on the darkness. "Ah? Then I''ll go find him," He Qing said, turning to take a step forward. Before she could move any further, a strong hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "Let''s go together. I just want to get to know him," Yogan said coldly. "F**k!" Yogan cursed silently, watching as the two approached him. Irritation bubbled up inside him. If he had remained hidden and launched a surprise attack, he might have stood a chance. But now that his position was compromised and the enemy was aware of him, he had no choice but to confront them directly. There was a clear disparity in strength between him and Yang Yi. A head-on fight could have catastrophic consequences. "Hey, are you still there? Brother Yang is a good man. Come out," He Qing''s voice called out softly. "He knows another human camp. We can go there together. Don''t worry, he won''t hurt you..." "Can you shut up?!" Yogan interrupted, his voice sharp and cold. He stood up suddenly, glaring at Yang Yi as he demanded, "Everyone in the camp is dead, but you''re unharmed. Why?" He Qing quickly tried to explain. "Brother Yang was practicing in the dark room before. When he came out, he saw the destruction. He''s really upset about it." "I told you to shut up!" Yogan snapped, his frustration evident. "Can''t anyone else enter the dark room? Why are you the only one left alive?" Yang Yi sighed, his voice tinged with sadness as he explained, "They knew I was practicing in the dark room. They wouldn''t open the door even if they were dying." He Qing, still trying to make sense of it, turned to Yogan. "I believe Brother Yang," she said softly, her voice filled with uncertainty. "How about this?" Yang Yi said, his deep voice calm. "I''ll let Xiaoqing come over and explain everything to you. I won''t move. Since you saved Xiaoqing, I''m willing to trust you for now." He Qing glanced at Yogan, unsure, but Yang Yi''s words seemed genuine. The tall man relaxed his grip on her arm and stepped back slightly, giving her space. Yogan stood still, his mind racing. The situation was delicate, and he wasn''t sure if he could trust this man. He felt the weight of the moment pressing on him. Yang Yi had survived alone, but there was something off about his story. The blood-stained walls, the eerie silence, and the strange circumstances all pointed to something far darker than the surface showed. Yogan''s instincts told him that the truth wasn''t as simple as it appeared. He turned his gaze back to He Qing, who seemed to be caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She wanted to trust Yang Yi, but something about the situation made her hesitant. "Xiaoqing," Yang Yi said, his voice warm yet tinged with an unsettling edge, "I''ll leave it to you to explain to your friend. Let him see for himself." Yogan remained silent, his eyes narrowed as he observed the tall figure carefully. Yang Yi had just offered an explanation that seemed too convenient, and Yogan wasn''t about to take it at face value. There was more to this than met the eye, and he intended to uncover it, no matter the cost. As the tension in the room thickened, Yogan''s thoughts raced. He knew he had to make a decision¡ªwhether to trust this man and move on or confront him and uncover the truth behind the camp''s fall. The answer wasn''t clear, but one thing was certain: whatever happened next would change everything. ch23- Level 2 Mutated Beast "Okay," Yogan''s voice echoed through the underground camp, tired and hoarse. "He Qing, you saved me twice. I won''t hurt you, and Brother Yang won''t either..." The woman spoke, though there was a hint of distrust on her pale face. As they crossed a load-bearing column, He Qing looked up, her moist eyes searching the shadows. When her gaze fell on Yogan, standing with his head lowered, a small flicker of joy appeared in her eyes. "I know you''re a good person, and Brother Yang is also a good person," she said softly, walking toward him. She reached out, taking his arm in a familiar gesture, pressing her heavy chest against his forearm. She smiled, about to pull Yogan toward Yang Yi, but noticed something strange. The boy remained unmoving, standing as solid as an iron pestle. He wouldn''t budge. He Qing lowered her head, her gaze fixing on Yogan''s face, hidden in the shadows. When their eyes met, a cold shiver ran down her spine. His eyes were full of mockery, sarcasm, and an unmistakable murderous intent. Her pupils constricted in sudden fear, and a strong sense of unease surged within her. She instinctively stepped back. But it was too late. In an instant, a straight black line appeared on her chest, like thunder tearing through the silence. Her white, soft skin was pierced by the sheer force, and the steel bar Yogan had been holding plunged through her chest at lightning speed. The immense force sent her crashing to the ground, and the steel bar embedded into the earth with a loud, resounding bang. "Ah!" He Qing screamed in terror, her mind going blank for a moment. The sharp pain that followed was unbearable. She couldn''t move, her body paralyzed with fear. Her consciousness began to fade as she saw a fist descending from above. Before she could react, the fist smashed into her head, driving it directly into the ground. She tried to escape, but her limbs were useless. Her vision blurred, and her thoughts became fragmented. "You... Why?" He Qing gasped, barely able to speak, her voice weak with confusion. Yang Yi, standing in the distance, watched the scene unfold in shock. He had seen everything happen in the blink of an eye. One moment, He Qing was alive, and the next, she was blasted into the ground. Yogan stood there, his eyes slightly raised, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile. He stared at Yang Yi with cold intensity. "It seems I was right. This woman was problematic from the start," Yogan said, his voice icy. He took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Yang Yi. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "From the first moment I saw her, I knew something was wrong. And just now, her actions were exaggerated and foolish," Yogan continued, his tone biting. "But obviously... stupid people don''t survive in such a brutal environment," he added, a hint of dark amusement in his voice. Yang Yi sneered in response, his eyes narrowing with anger. The woman on the ground finally reacted, her eyes flashing with resentment. She struggled to pull out the steel bar from her chest, but the blood flowing from the wound only made her weaker. She gasped for breath, her strength rapidly fading. "Based on this judgment alone, you dare to kill her so ruthlessly?" Yang Yi''s voice was calm but laced with a dark undertone. Yogan didn''t respond, but his expression grew colder, his hand tightening into a fist. Yang Yi nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Yogan with a deadly intent. "You''re truly ruthless," he muttered. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the underground camp shifted. The air thickened, and the smell of blood grew more intense. A dark, ominous presence filled the space. Yang Yi''s body began to swell, his muscles bulging as his power surged. In an instant, his form grew to nearly three meters tall. He raised his head lazily, looking down at Yogan from his towering height. "To tell you the truth," Yang Yi''s voice grew louder, sharper, "this camp was nothing more than bait. Old Snake and I worked together, one in the shadows and the other in the light, sharing the blood grains we gathered." Yang Yi''s voice became increasingly high-pitched, his words dripping with malice. His muscles expanded further, becoming as hard as iron, his body seemingly transforming into a beast. "Your appearance is unexpected, but also... pleasantly surprising," he continued, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "The fresh blood, combined with the rich energy of the earth... It''s perfect." With a sudden motion, Yang Yi tore off his torn shirt, revealing his strong, grotesque body. Strange blood-colored lines covered his skin, twisting and pulsing with dark energy. "Since the three of them are dead, then..." Yang Yi''s voice became even more distorted. "I can taste your deliciousness alone!" Yogan''s eyes narrowed. The situation had escalated quickly. He had no time to hesitate. The only option left was to fight. Yogan clenched his right fist, disappearing into the shadows in an instant. But Yang Yi seemed to have anticipated his move. With the speed of lightning, he lunged forward, his fist like a massive sandbag heading straight for Yogan. Yogan barely had time to react. The punch connected with a thunderous boom, and the entire underground camp shook violently. For the first time, Yogan felt the full force of the power gap between them. He instinctively raised his arms to block, but the residual force sent him flying through the ceiling. His body crashed upward, breaking through the concrete and soaring into the air. The dazzling light flashed across his face, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though the world itself was spinning. Mid-air, a figure loomed, covering the sky and the sun. Yang Yi grinned, ready to strike again without hesitation. Yogan''s pupils contracted as he struggled to lift his right palm. With great effort, he released a burst of red and white light, forming a powerful energy shield just in time. Boom! The shockwave from the impact temporarily separated the two combatants. Yogan spat out a mouthful of blood, his body crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. Yang Yi''s burly body rolled through the air, absorbing the impact before he landed gracefully. His eyes burned with fury, his teeth bared in a predatory grin. "Is this your trump card?" Yang Yi taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "Is this what you think will kill me?" Yogan struggled to rise, his body aching from the brutal force. He had just barely survived the exchange, but he knew that this fight was far from over. Ch24- Experience Points, Give Me All of Them! "Is this your trump card that can kill them...?" Yang Yi raised his right fist and, almost instinctively, licked the blood from the back of his hand. But he quickly put his hand down, suppressing the primal urge. "I am a human, not an animal. I can''t let my alienated instincts control me," he muttered, fighting the overwhelming urge in his mind. He let out a hoarse breath, standing at the edge of the pit, looking down at Yogan. "I admit that I''m not your opponent," came Yogan''s voice from the depths of the pit, his words filled with resignation. "Oh? Have you accepted your fate?" Yang Yi taunted, his eyes narrowing with amusement as he peered down. Yogan''s gaze met his, and there was no fear in the boy''s eyes¡ªonly a cold, maddening intensity. His expression remained stoic, devoid of any sadness or joy, just madness. Yogan slowly squatted down, supporting his head with one hand, and the shadow cast over him seemed to deepen his brooding silence. Yang Yi grinned. "What? Want to give it one last try?" The playful tone was gone as Yang Yi''s body, made of hardened muscle, suddenly lunged upward with terrifying speed. The blood-colored lines on his arms pulsed, and his fists came down with the force of mountains ready to split. The rancid scent of blood filled the air, assaulting Yogan''s senses, making his stomach churn. But Yogan remained undeterred. "Panel! Add to me!" Yogan commanded, his voice cold and determined. His hands came together, and the energy of the heavens and earth, stored in the light spot on his right fist, rushed to his left palm with an explosive force. Simultaneously, his remaining 390 experience points surged into the martial arts column, as if they were being released without hesitation. Suddenly, the [Palm Yin and Yang (10%)] skill shot up to [Palm Yin and Yang (100%)]. The thin energy of the heavens and earth gathered around Yogan''s palms, condensing into a dark light mark on his left palm. It was cold, deep, and strangely powerful. The black mark intensified, growing into a vortex that devoured all the blood and energy left in Yogan''s body. Yang Yi''s eyes narrowed, sensing the violent fluctuations of power emanating from Yogan. His fists became even faster, but it was already too late. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "Huh!" Yogan exhaled a breath of foul air, his eyes wide with insanity. His palms, now brimming with newfound power, surged upward in a single, violent motion. "Level 3 martial arts ¨C Palm Yin and Yang!" When the two palms collided, Yang Yi instantly felt the clash of two entirely different auras. One was fiery and aggressive, the other cold and impenetrable. The combination of these two powers caused Yang Yi''s heart to contract. The energy coursing through his veins sparked and glowed red. The intensity of the attack left him stunned for a split second. With the 100% level of Palm Yin and Yang, and the cellular respiration boosting Yogan''s power, he was capable of a force he could hardly comprehend. Yang Yi was blasted out of the pit with the force of a cannonball. The earth around them trembled as the pit''s edges collapsed, widening the hole by several meters. Yogan lay at the bottom, his body sore and aching. His arms felt as though they were broken, and every muscle screamed in pain. Despite the agony, Yogan bared his teeth and glanced at the panel. His pupils dilated in shock as he realized the situation. "You''re not dead yet?" Yang Yi''s voice rumbled from above, the heavy sound of his footsteps approaching. Yogan could hear the enormous weight of the bull-headed mutant as it approached. "Boy, I''ve changed my mind..." Yang Yi''s voice was now thick with malice. "I''m going to break your bones one by one, and then I''ll let you watch as I devour you..." The vibrations from the footsteps stopped right at the edge of the pit, and a massive, blood-red figure loomed over Yogan. Yogan could see a creature that was part man, part bull, with horns jutting out from its forehead, glistening with cold light. Its entire body was drenched in a dark, blood-like aura. The creature''s eyes glinted with cruelty as it bent down, its gaze filled with a hunger for destruction. Yogan''s breath was labored as he covered his chest, coughing lightly. His body was beginning to deteriorate from the intense strain, but he could feel something stirring within him. He closed his eyes, and all the light spots hidden within his body began to glow. The extra experience points from the panel flowed into him like a torrent, filling him with power. Once his Palm Yin and Yang reached 100%, the skill began to rise again! 150%! 200%! The force from the light spots surged, and Yogan''s body visibly withered as his skin sunk in, his limbs shriveled, and his stomach caved in. But despite his physical deterioration, his eyes grew brighter, more focused. Yang Yi jumped down into the pit, landing in front of Yogan with a cruel smile. "You ruined my mutation, my years of planning... Eating you alive won''t even begin to satisfy my rage," he growled. Yogan slowly rose, his body now resembling a withered tree root, standing tall despite his weakened form. The light mark between his palms had disappeared, replaced by shimmering silver spots. The silver light surged and crackled with power, cold and dazzling, radiating from his palms like thunder. Zila! The sound of energy crackling echoed in the air as silver lightning surged around Yogan''s body. Swish! Yogan moved like a ghost, his figure almost imperceptible. The lightning danced across his arms, electrifying the air with every movement. Yang Yi roared in disbelief, "What the hell are you? Even weirder than me!" Before Yang Yi could react, the lightning crashed into his face, and Yogan''s hands locked onto the bull man''s horns. With a mighty roar, Yogan twisted, snapping the two massive horns in his grip. "Ah!" The bull man''s painful cry reverberated through the ruins. His body jerked in agony, and the once-dominant figure was now rendered helpless by the brutal force of the attack. Yogan''s body moved faster than the eye could follow, appearing in front of the bull man in an instant. With a burst of strength, Yogan lifted the bull man by the shoulders and hurled him back, sending the massive creature crashing into the earth with a thunderous crash. The bull man, paralyzed and scorched by the lightning, lay still, his blood-colored lines fading to a dim glow. Without hesitation, Yogan pressed his legs onto the bull man''s shoulders, pinning him down. He raised his arms high above his head, lightning swirling in his palms, and with a fierce cry, he drove the energy into the bull man''s throat. The lightning spear pierced through the bull man''s skin with devastating force, cutting through his thick neck and sending a final jolt of energy that shattered his body from the inside. The ruins fell silent, save for the crackling energy in the air. Yogan stood over the fallen beast, his breath shallow but steady, his body still aching from the toll the battle had taken on him. The silver light in his palms faded, but the power he had unlocked remained within him, ready to be unleashed again. Ch25 -Completely Drained, Alienated Combat Body Sizzle! Hot blood, tinged with a burnt smell, splashed across Yogan''s face, adding to his already terrifying appearance. A gnawing hunger consumed him from every part of his body. Every inch of flesh, every cell, seemed to scream at him: he was dying! He had never experienced such an overwhelming desire for food and blood before. Normally, a person couldn''t drain themselves completely, but under the influence of the panel, Yogan''s blood and energy had been entirely depleted. There was not a single drop left. If it were possible, he felt as though he could devour an entire restaurant at that moment. The hunger was so intense that it constantly gnawed at his nerves, urging him to feed. Yogan stood on the mutant beast beneath him, his trembling hands plunging into its chest. He felt around, his fingers finding the still-beating, scarlet heart and pulling it out with a sickening wetness. Since the beast had mutated its body into something beyond human, Yogan knew it was no longer bound by the same rules. This was a game world, not reality. Without hesitation, Yogan opened his parched lips and bit into the heart. Fresh flesh and powerful blood flowed into his mouth, mixing with the beast''s energy, and quickly spread through his body. The cold, fishy taste made him gag, but he pushed it aside, swallowing the last bite with disgust. His withered body had not yet recovered, but his almost-faint head became clearer, and his limbs regained some strength. "Don''t kill me... I can do anything!" Lara''s voice trembled as she curled up on the ground, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at the strange figure crouching before her. Yogan''s rough palm brushed across her smooth face, his voice hoarse and indifferent. "Explain the relationship between you and these mutant beasts." This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Lara''s body trembled more violently at his touch. "Both the pigman and I are Yang Yi''s subordinates," she stammered. "We work together to hunt the humans who survived in the ruins. He promised to build a camp for me¡­ I don''t know about the snakeman." She slowly wrapped her arms around Yogan''s calves, begging, "Please... don''t kill me... I can do anything for you!" Yogan let out a small chuckle. His right hand slid across her chest and gripped the steel bar that had long been stained with blood. Puff! The steel bar pierced through Lara''s chest, splattering blood. A cruel smile tugged at the corner of Yogan''s mouth. "Die for me." With a swift motion, he pulled the bar out, only to stab it into her soft neck. The life drained from her in an instant. After finishing, Yogan collapsed to the ground, the wind in his ears ringing like a low hum. It was as if the entire ruins were mourning. It was just a doomsday game, but it felt far too real. After a brief rest, Yogan began to search the corpses for anything of value. Lara had nothing useful on her, but the mutant bull-man''s body yielded something that caught his eye. It was another magnetic card. This one was similar to the one Yogan had found on the pig-man, but the information inside was entirely different. "Alienated combat body!" Yogan muttered softly, rubbing the magnetic card between his fingers, his eyes flickering with thought. "By absorbing the alienated energy between heaven and earth, tempering the body, gaining the recognition of God, and ascending to the extraordinary realm..." As Yogan read the information, a slight frown creased his brow. The three mutant beasts they had encountered earlier were all the result of the alienated energy''s erosion. It seemed that practicing the alienated combat body would ultimately transform someone into a monster that was neither human nor beast. "No," Yogan thought, his mind racing. He realized something strange. Yang Yi, the strongest person in the camp, should have been the most deeply eroded by the alienated energy. Yet, when he had first appeared, he was still able to retain his humanity. This suggested that there was some kind of hidden secret behind his transformation. Yogan recalled Yang Yi''s words during their battle¡ªhow he had been forced to mutate prematurely and how his plans had been ruined. Yogan''s gaze shifted toward the dark room in the camp. He believed the answers to these questions might be hidden there. But before heading there, Yogan glanced at the panel next to him. [Kill the second-level mutant beast and gain 500 experience points] The message flashed before his eyes. Yogan raised an eyebrow. The experience points were acceptable¡ªat least his efforts hadn''t been in vain. In the martial arts column, the skill "Palm Yin and Yang" had transformed into "Yin and Yang Thunder." Yogan understood immediately. The power he had unleashed at the last moment, far beyond his own limits, must have come from this martial art that had been forcibly advanced by adding points. [Yin and Yang Thunder (50%)] Yogan wasn''t sure what changes would occur if he continued to add points to the skill. But after some thought, he decided to hold off for now. If things went wrong and he added too many points, he could end up draining himself completely, with no improvement to show for it. He''d better wait until he was stronger before trying again. ... With a gentle push, Yogan nudged the half-open door, stepping into a room thick with the scent of blood. At first glance, he saw dozens of cracked and mangled corpses lying on the ground. It was as though all life had been drained from them. Suppressing his nausea, Yogan scanned the dark room carefully. After a moment, he pieced together a grim conclusion: Yang Yi had delayed or halted the alienation process by absorbing the blood and energy from other humans. Yogan''s eyes narrowed as he processed this new information. Perhaps blood and energy weren''t the key. The real secret lay in the energy of heaven and earth. Using this energy to resist the alienating effects of the energy was difficult for most people in this game world. But for Yogan, it was as easy as drinking water. "In that case," Yogan murmured to himself, his gaze growing steely. "Let me see what kind of existence this so-called alien god really is." ch26-The Enhanced Physique Is Domineering! "Let me see what kind of existence this so-called alien god is?" The words slipped from Yogan''s lips as he whispered softly to himself. Sitting cross-legged amidst the ruins, a faint suction force emanated from his body. The special energy that had eluded him before was now palpable, a presence he could feel clearly and fully. "Is this alienated energy?" Yogan murmured, his mind working through the sensations. This new, foreign energy felt strikingly similar to the energy of heaven and earth in the real world, yet there was an unsettling quality to it. It was like a person who was used to eating white rice every day suddenly having to eat steamed buns¡ªan odd discomfort gnawed at him. But even with that discomfort, Yogan found himself accepting it, as though compelled by an instinct he couldn''t deny. He continued to consume the energy. His body felt like a bottomless pit, and the 360 light spots, opened through his cellular respiration method, activated within him. The surrounding alienated energy swept toward Yogan like a powerful storm. His tendons, bones, and skin were constantly washed and strengthened by the energy, the sensation both fast and powerful, almost addictive. Yogan did not try to forcibly refine the alienated energy; instead, he focused on absorbing and storing it within the light spots in his body. "Not enough!" he gritted his teeth through the pain. He pressed his palm onto the dead mutant bull-man''s body. The corpse was full of alienated energy, and wasting it would be a mistake. As time passed, the mutant bull-man''s body began to shrink and decay at a visible speed. Yogan continued his work, moving to the bodies of the mutant snake-man and the mutant pig-man, absorbing every bit of energy from them. Unconsciously, Yogan''s dry, shriveled body slowly began to return to its original form. His body even began to expand as he continued absorbing the energy. When all 360 light spots were filled with alienated energy, Yogan felt like an inflated balloon, on the verge of bursting. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. He glanced at the panel, thinking for a moment before speaking softly. "Return!" No response. The panel seemed to ignore his command entirely. Frustration surged through Yogan. His face contorted with anger as he growled coldly, "If you don''t return, I''ll die!" The sensation of violent expansion exploded from within his body. Suddenly, there was a faint buzzing sound. A soft light flickered on the panel. The surrounding world began to shimmer and distort. Yogan clenched his teeth and opened his eyes once more. In front of him was no longer the ruin he had just been in, but a wild forest. The hot blood from the body of the Qingyou Wolf still flowed freely, and the rich, invigorating breath of heaven and earth surged toward Yogan. The overwhelming feeling of impending explosion faded almost immediately. "Sure enough, these two forces complement and counteract each other," Yogan muttered to himself, taking a deep breath. The rich energy of heaven and earth flowed into his body, soothing the side effects of the beastification caused by practicing the alienated combat body. After about ten minutes, Yogan finally managed to suppress the swelling and restlessness within him. Looking at himself now, it was as if he had been reborn. "Using alienated energy to temper the body, and then supplementing it with the energy of heaven and earth to eliminate its side effects¡ªthis is something only I can do in this world!" Yogan thought, excitement building within him. He clenched his fist, and an indescribable force surged into his palm. It was as if any punch he threw now could match the power of his previous attacks when using the first stage of Palm Yin and Yang. The sensation was frightening! No wonder Yang Yi had been able to suppress me completely. Yogan ran and leaped back and forth, his eyes glowing with renewed determination. His physical body had clearly entered a new realm. He glanced at the panel again, and a new line appeared in the martial arts section: [Alienated Combat Body (10%)] The training process for this martial art wasn''t particularly difficult¡ªit was easy to get started with one''s own talent. The true challenge, however, was how to suppress its side effects. But now, Yogan had done it. He looked down at the black dagger pressed against the neck of the Green Wolf. He rolled up his sleeves and gently scratched his arm with the blade. Nothing. The sharp dagger, capable of easily cutting through a first-level beast, left no mark on his skin. Yogan applied more force, but still, there was no reaction. Finally, he changed his grip and drove the tip of the blade directly downward. A strange glow enveloped his white forearm. With a sharp crack, the dagger broke in half. Yogan''s eyes widened in surprise. "This alienated combat body is way too powerful." He couldn''t help but marvel. "Not only is it resistant to swords and guns, but it also has this protective glow that can shock the enemy!" He had never heard of a body-building martial art with such domineering abilities, especially not one below the third level. Eager to test his newfound strength further, Yogan approached a large boulder. With a swift punch, he struck it. The resulting roar echoed through the forest as the stone, the size of a small house, shattered into pieces. "The combat power should be no worse than that of a second-level warrior. With the addition of Yin and Yang Thunder, if I encounter a third-level warrior..." Yogan grinned to himself. "I''m not afraid!" In just two forays into the game world, his strength had surged from that of a high-level warrior to a second-level warrior. The rate of improvement was astonishing. However, the two explorations had also been life-threatening, with opportunities and dangers coexisting at every turn. After dragging the body of the Green Ghost Wolf to another wild forest and marking it, Yogan followed the moonlight and slowly made his way back to the resting place where everyone was waiting. Ch27 -The Girls Sadness And Dissatisfaction When Yogan returned, a dozen students were sitting together, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily. The memory of their previous encounter with evil warriors was still fresh, and they dared not let their guard down. In the middle of the group, Jiang Qiuran sat cross-legged, a sword in her hand. Her pale, pretty face looked slightly sad under the moonlight. Chen Quan lay on the ground, his arms and legs spread out, staring at the night sky with an intense gaze. Everything he had experienced that day was more thrilling than the eighteen years he had lived before. "Brother Yogan hasn''t come back yet?" he muttered to himself. He had been gone for more than half an hour. Could something have happened? "I don''t know," Jiang Qiuran replied, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly as she spoke in a calm tone. At that moment, the group around them stirred. The young man with sword-like eyebrows narrowed his eyes and shouted in surprise. "There''s movement!" Suddenly, everyone''s attention shifted toward the dark forest nearby. When they saw the bloodstained figure of Yogan emerging from the shadows, their tense minds relaxed instantly. The vigilance in their eyes quickly shifted to curiosity and excitement. Yogan approached the group with his usual calm demeanor. Chen Quan jumped to his feet, pushing through the crowd and shouting, "Brother Yogan!" Yogan nodded at him, his gaze shifting to the girl in the center of the group, wearing a light blue martial arts uniform. She had her head lowered, as if deliberately avoiding looking at him. Yogan chuckled softly. Comparing Jiang Qiuran to He Qing in the game world, he found the girl in front of him to be innocent and a little cute. He walked forward slowly, reaching out to gently touch her head. Jiang Qiuran clenched her fists, feeling her disheveled hair. She raised her head and shot him a look, rolling her eyes. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "The trial isn''t over yet. Let''s go," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance. Yogan glanced at the dark night ahead and nodded. "Ah, do you want to go deeper?" Chen Quan asked, dragging his battered shield with a reluctant look. But no one paid attention to him. Yogan walked forward into the night with his hands at his sides. Jiang Qiuran silently stood up, hung her long sword at her waist, and followed without a word. "Hey, you all go back," Chen Quan sighed and waved to the young man with sword-like eyebrows. He then lowered his head and hurried after them. As the three of them walked away, the area erupted into a fervent discussion. "F**k! Jiang Qiuran''s martial arts strength isn''t the best in Linhai?" "That Yogan is too fierce!" "I heard he participated in the Qianlong training camp and is only in his second year of high school!" "His strength must be at least the peak of the first grade!" "So fierce!" Amid the exclamations and excited chatter, the young man with sword-like eyebrows stared at Yogan''s retreating figure, his eyes filled with admiration and fanaticism. His body trembled with excitement. "Yogan, how much strength have you been hiding?" he muttered to himself. As they walked through the quiet mountains and forests, Jiang Qiuran finally couldn''t suppress the curiosity building within her. She subconsciously bit her lip, glancing at Yogan before asking, "How much strength have you hidden?" Chen Quan, equally curious, quickened his pace to catch up, eager to hear Yogan''s response. Yogan himself didn''t know how to answer. He could only smile and remain silent. "I feel like Brother Yogan must be at the peak of the first grade, or even the second grade..." Chen Quan muttered, his shield bouncing on his back, but no one paid him any attention. Jiang Qiuran''s beautiful eyes widened in surprise. She had always been the top student at Linhai No. 1 Middle School, but Yogan''s presence had shattered her confidence. Now, with his strength continuously becoming more apparent, the gap between them seemed to grow larger, and the tension in her heart deepened. The next time they encountered a fierce beast along the way, Jiang Qiuran vowed to take the lead and hone her own strength. With each beast she killed, she cast a look of determined unwillingness at Yogan¡ªher silent way of showing her resolve in martial arts. Yogan didn''t pay much attention to her subtle thoughts. Instead, he focused all his energy on refining his alienated combat body. He aimed to balance the energy of heaven and earth with the alienated energy in his body when he entered the game world again. By the early morning, the three of them passed through a small canyon. Suddenly, a playful voice called out from the side. "Hey! Are you students from Linhai City?" They looked over. A young man, dressed flamboyantly, with a lazy smile on his face, was leaning against the top of the canyon. He looked down at them from his elevated position. "Li Dan from Changhe City, as strong as Jiang Jie," Chen Quan recognized the young man instantly, whispering to Yogan. "In the last five-city exam, he lost to me by half a move!" Jiang Qiuran added expressionlessly, glancing at him. "Yes... yes, he can''t beat Jiang Jie," Chen Quan chuckled, quickly changing his words. "Jiang Qiuran, are you interested in cooperating?" Li Dan stood up and walked over, still smiling. As he approached, Yogan noticed that the other man had dyed purple hair and was wearing a colorful martial arts uniform. His appearance was highly ostentatious. Yogan gave Jiang Qiuran a silent glance, stepping back to indicate that the conversation was hers to lead. Understanding his cue, Jiang Qiuran stepped forward, her long legs carrying her with ease. "What cooperation?" she asked in a calm voice. Li Dan''s eyes briefly swept over Yogan and Chen Quan but didn''t linger for long. His gaze fixed on Jiang Qiuran as he smiled and said, "Last night, our team found a valley in the wilderness area, and inside it was a level 2 beast. We also discovered some valuable items." "A level 2 beast?" Jiang Qiuran''s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but her expression remained unchanged as she glanced at Yogan before continuing, "What kind of valuable items?" "Energy storage fruit!" Li Dan said after a brief pause, a mischievous chuckle escaping his lips. Ch28- The Strongest Student? Level 2 Fierce Beast "Okay, let''s go and have a look." Jiang Qiuran was also intrigued by the Qi Accumulation Fruit. If she could obtain some, it would accelerate her cultivation speed. Li Dan grinned upon hearing this, stepping into the canyon with swift movements. Yogan nodded, and the three of them immediately followed him, disappearing quickly into the canyon. As they moved, Chen Quan began explaining in detail about the strongest players from the other two teams. "This Li Dan can only be ranked second in Changhe No. 1 Middle School. The top player is the stiff, wooden guy named Huo Yu, whose strength is probably around the seventh or eighth level of the first grade," Chen Quan said, glancing at Jiang Qiuran from the corner of his eye. "In the last five-school exam, Sister Jiang lasted only ten moves against him..." he added, looking a little apologetic. "As for Ling Fei from Jinjiang City, he''s at least at the eighth level of the first grade. In the last exam, he almost won first place with a crushing performance!" Yogan nodded thoughtfully. Without his sudden appearance, the team from Linhai City would likely have ranked at the bottom among the three teams in terms of overall strength. The group crossed the canyon and entered a quiet path. Along the way, some beasts that were not highly ranked had already been dealt with by Li Dan, each kill done swiftly and efficiently. After traveling at high speed for about fifteen minutes, the surroundings grew increasingly sparse. Corpses of level-one beasts lay scattered on both sides of the road, likely killed by other teams in advance. The four of them passed through a thick bush, and suddenly, the landscape before them opened up. A stream cascaded down from a high cliff, forming a waterfall that crashed into the valley below. The deafening roar of the water and the cool mist filled the air. "We''re here," Li Dan said, halting just outside the valley. He turned his head, signaling to Jiang Qiuran and the others. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Yogan squinted and observed the surroundings. The entrance to the valley was narrow, and dense branches covered both sides. Without the sound of the waterfall, it would have been hard to spot this place. While Yogan and the others were scanning their surroundings, Li Dan let out a sharp whistle. Faint footsteps could be heard approaching from the darkness around them. "Jiang Qiuran, long time no see," a voice called out. Two groups of people emerged from the dense forest. The leaders were a boy with a shaved head and another with a dull expression. Jiang Qiuran glanced at the two and nodded silently. "Ling Fei, Huo Yu," she acknowledged. "Everyone''s here, let''s get ready. I don''t believe the strongest lineup of the three schools can''t take it down!" Li Dan said confidently, his voice brimming with excitement. Once everyone was ready, the boy with the dull expression spoke. "The beast in the valley has just entered the second level. Ling Fei and I will be the main force, Jiang Qiuran will control, Li Dan will handle containment, and the rest of you will look for opportunities to attack. The final spoils will be distributed according to the effort put in. Is that okay?" "No problem," came the unanimous response. "Alright, let''s go into the valley," Huo Yu said, waving his hand as he stepped forward. "Hehe... I can finally do something big!" Li Dan said with excitement before dashing forward with his nimble movements. Ling Fei gave a fleeting glance at the boy following Jiang Qiuran, his eyelids twitching slightly. The energy fluctuations coming from the boy felt more dangerous than his own class! "It must be an illusion," he muttered to himself, shaking his head before following Li Dan into the valley. Just as everyone entered the depths of the valley, a low roar suddenly echoed from beneath the waterfall. "Roar!" The roar shook the air, and a massive figure appeared, charging forward. The powerful aura of the second-level beast instantly enveloped the entire valley, locking onto everyone in its sights. Huo Yu did not hesitate. He advanced, and the two figures collided in the dark night. A massive wave of air exploded in all directions. The huge beast remained unmoved, while Huo Yu was sent flying backward, crashing into the rubble before everyone. "Damn, that''s tough!" Huo Yu grunted, rubbing his head as he stood up. His upper body had been shredded, revealing his muscular physique. "It''s definitely a newcomer to the second level. Its blood and qi are unstable, so its strength is weaker than expected," Ling Fei observed, taking a step forward, his eyes gleaming with determination. Yogan narrowed his eyes and surveyed the massive beast at the end of the valley. The creature''s face was grotesque, its muscles bulging under its knotted fur. Its dark yellow fur glistened faintly in the moonlight. Without hesitation, the three teams launched into battle with the beast. "Jiang Jie, be careful!" Chen Quan shouted as he watched Jiang Qiuran draw her sharp long knife and rush forward without a word. "Brother Yogan, what should we do next?" Chen Quan asked, looking at the chaotic battle ahead. It was clear he couldn''t take part. He instinctively moved behind Yogan, hiding behind his shield. "Wait," Yogan replied calmly. After speaking, Yogan sat on a large rock and closed his eyes, beginning to focus on cultivating his alienated combat body. "Hey, Linjiang No. 1 Middle School, you two go guard the valley entrance. Don''t let any first-level beasts sneak in," Li Dan ordered, glancing over at Yogan and the others, who were still lounging leisurely. "Brother Yogan... what should we do?" Chen Quan asked, unsure whether to follow the order from Li Dan. He glanced at Yogan for guidance. "Let''s go. They found this beast, so I won''t steal it from them," Yogan replied. He then stood up and walked toward the valley entrance. "Brother Yogan, are you really going to help them guard the entrance?" Chen Quan asked, clearly irritated by the situation. "It''s fine. You should reflect on your experience from last night''s battle. The trial still has time," Yogan said nonchalantly, his attention already elsewhere. With that, he walked to the valley entrance, found a hidden spot, and began absorbing the energy of heaven and earth at a rapid pace, preparing himself for whatever would come next. --- Ch29- The Sudden Appearance of the Second-Grade Warrior The sound of intense fighting echoed throughout the valley, but it was drowned out by the constant roar of the waterfall. The ferocious beast, its dark yellow fur bristling, glared at the group of humans who had dared to enter its territory. Its eyes burned with unprecedented brutality and fury. "Roar!" The beast let out an enraged roar, its terrifying fangs visible as it bared its teeth. With a mighty swing, it raised its strong arms and swung them down with incredible force toward the humans rushing at it. The sound of the air breaking under the weight of its blow was deafening, clearly showing the beast''s immense power. "Fight!" Ling Fei, the shaved-headed boy, shouted, his voice low and fierce. He charged directly at the beast, his eyes flashing with a sharp cold light. Bang! Bang! For a moment, the beast''s expression shifted, surprise flashing across its face. Despite its enormous strength, it was unable to defeat the small human in front of it quickly. Swish! A sudden glint of cold light appeared as Jiang Qiuran, holding her long knife, seized the opportunity. She quietly positioned herself behind the beast and, in one swift motion, sliced across its neck. "Ah!" The beast''s howl of pain immediately filled the valley. The long knife, imbued with brutal force, tore through its skin and struck deep into its flesh. The sharp chill from the blade surged through its body, causing its blood to stagnate for a brief moment. Seeing this, Ling Fei, Huo Yu, and the others were overjoyed. They immediately unleashed a barrage of martial arts techniques, attacking the beast with all their might. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. The second-level beast was quickly overwhelmed. As the cooperation among the group became more and more synchronized, the battle proceeded exactly as planned. The beast was covered in deep cuts, and its blood bar rapidly depleted. ... "Brother Yogan, the battle inside is getting fierce. Should we go in and help?" Chen Quan paced back and forth, clearly itching to join the fray. "If we don''t take action now, it''ll be hard to argue about the spoils later." Yogan remained seated, cross-legged, and indifferent to the battle raging in the valley. He was calmly practicing, paying little attention to the commotion around him. Suddenly, a roar came from the valley. The powerful second-level beast seemed to be reaching the end of its strength. "Brother Yogan, they''re almost done. Why don''t we go in and pick up some scraps?" Before Chen Quan could finish speaking, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened in alarm. He saw a figure slowly walking toward them through the night, effortlessly stepping over gravel and dense underbrush. The figure moved with a leisurely pace, closing the distance between them in no time. "I heard the sounds of fighting from afar. Don''t mind if I join in and share a piece of the pie," a lazy voice came from the darkness. Chen Quan looked up, his face turning pale. A young man dressed in a black shirt stood at the entrance of the valley. He stretched his neck slightly to peer into the valley, a faint smile playing on his handsome face. The young man glanced briefly at Chen Quan and Yogan before speaking nonchalantly: "There should be some good stuff in there. Are you planning to stop me, or should I just walk in?" His voice was calm, but there was an underlying arrogance. Chen Quan''s body immediately tensed. He had been assigned to guard the valley entrance, expecting to deal with some low-level beasts. It had been a dull task, and now he found himself facing a young man whose strength was clearly far above his own. On the other side, Yogan slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the valley with a cold expression. He noticed two unfamiliar auras coming from that direction. If his guess was correct, these were the accomplices of the man in front of them. Chen Quan, looking distressed, walked over to Yogan and asked in a low voice: "Brother Yogan, what do you think of the other party''s strength? Are we sure we can handle this?" "Oh, it seems you really want to fight with me?" The young man seemed to have overheard their conversation. He raised an eyebrow, a bored expression on his face. Then, with a lazy shrug, he cracked his neck, producing a series of "clicking" sounds. In that instant, a faint aura of a second-grade warrior enveloped the area, making the atmosphere heavy with pressure. "Second-grade warrior?!" Chen Quan exclaimed, his heart racing in fear. The overwhelming pressure he felt was similar to what he had experienced from his martial arts teacher. "Brother Yogan, how about we retreat?" Chen Quan instinctively shrank back, hiding behind Yogan. He was clearly terrified. Earlier, a late-stage first-grade evil warrior had been enough to suppress their group of top high school students. Now, facing a second-grade warrior, there was no chance they could win. Yogan, unfazed, watched the young man with a neutral expression. The young man looked at Chen Quan''s trembling form with a bored expression, then casually walked into the valley. As he walked, he said proudly: "Judging by your age, you should be high school students. I''m the vice president of the sophomore martial arts club at Songjiang University. If you''re ever admitted to Songjiang University, feel free to come to me." He paused and gave them a playful look, his voice dripping with arrogance. "As for tonight¡­ you''ll just have to hold back your anger." The young man entered the valley with an air of complete indifference, leaving Chen Quan and Yogan behind. The pressure of his presence lingered, but neither of them moved to stop him. Yogan closed his eyes again, uninterested in the encounter. Chen Quan, on the other hand, could only sigh, still shaken by the overwhelming force the young man had displayed. --- Ch30- One-Sided Dilemma "As for tonight¡­ you''ll have to hold back your anger first!" The young man glanced at Yogan, a slight smirk playing on his lips. The calm, silent demeanor of the boy in front of him irritated him. He had expected to sense anger or fear, but instead, there was only composure. Just then, the young man noticed something. Yogan had raised his head, his expression calm but his eyes sharp and focused. "Only three of you, right?" Yogan asked, his voice steady. He was clearly trying to assess whether there were any other hidden threats. The young man''s eyes narrowed at the question. He had an instinct that the kid opposite him had noticed something. With a cold glare, he snapped back, "Boy, do you really want to do this?" In the world of martial arts, the strong are revered, and in this chaotic wilderness, that rule was even more strictly followed. How dare a mere high school student provoke him? The young man frowned, staring at Yogan with a menacing glare. The look of a seasoned warrior was evident¡ªthere was a real fierceness, a murderous intent behind his gaze. Chen Quan, who had been standing off to the side, immediately felt the oppressive aura. He could feel the pressure in the air, unlike anything he had experienced before. The presence of a high-level warrior was unmistakable. It wasn''t just intimidation¡ªit was a force that could strike fear into the hearts of lesser warriors, even causing them to die with just a glance. Seeing this, Chen Quan panicked and looked toward Yogan, but Yogan was unfazed. Yogan reached out and gave Chen Quan a reassuring pat on the shoulder, signaling him to move into the valley. "Go inside, quickly. Don''t speak any more," Yogan said calmly. Chen Quan hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave Yogan behind. "Brother Yogan, there''s really no need..." he protested, looking worried. He knew Yogan was strong enough to deal with a peak-level beast, but this was a real second-level warrior. It was a different matter altogether. Yogan waved him off, his expression unreadable. "Go. Don''t waste time." Seeing no other option, Chen Quan reluctantly turned and sprinted toward the valley, his heart heavy with worry. "What''s the matter? Afraid your classmates will see you get beaten to death?" the young man taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. He continued to approach Yogan with slow, deliberate steps. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. But the next moment, something changed. A faint light flickered around Yogan''s body. For a brief instant, the young man felt an overwhelming sense of danger. His instincts flared, and for the first time, he gave Yogan a serious look. His eyes widened slightly as he recognized something¡ªthis wasn''t an ordinary high school student. "A high school student who''s reached the second level?" The young man''s voice held a note of genuine surprise. "That''s¡­ unexpected." Yogan remained silent, his expression unchanged. The young man, still processing the shock, swiftly extended his arm, his fingers forming into eagle-like claws. In an instant, a wave of power surged toward Yogan, surrounding him with a palpable aura. Yogan didn''t flinch. He stepped forward, and with a rapid motion, he punched the incoming force. His punch was a blur of motion, and as his fist collided with the young man''s palm, the resulting sound was like the clash of fine iron. Bang! The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the area, knocking down the surrounding trees and shaking the earth. Despite the intensity of the collision, neither combatant was pushed back. The young man staggered slightly, a look of surprise flashing across his face. He hadn''t expected Yogan to withstand his blow so easily. Just as he was about to launch another attack, he noticed something in Yogan''s eyes¡ªa faint trace of disappointment. There was no joy or sadness in those eyes, just a cool, detached look that seemed to convey that Yogan had expected more from him. The young man''s expression twisted in frustration. His veins bulged as he growled, "Boy, I haven''t been disrespected like this in a long time." His patience snapped. He opened his arms wide, as if preparing to pounce like a mad eagle. ... Meanwhile, Chen Quan had already entered the valley, his face grim. He gripped his shield tightly, hoping that the others would manage to deal with the beast quickly. The sounds of the fierce battle had died down, suggesting that Jiang Qiuran and the others had taken down the beast. With the combined efforts of Jiang Jie, Ling Fei, and Huo Yu, the young man should be forced to retreat. "I just hope Brother Yogan can hold on a little longer," Chen Quan thought as he rushed toward the waterfall. He was about to call for reinforcements when, suddenly, he froze. Standing beside the dead beast, Ling Fei was supported by his companions, clutching his chest and staring fiercely at something ahead. Huo Yu was pale, breathing heavily as he lowered his head. Jiang Qiuran leaned on the ground, her knife at her side, her face cold and unyielding. "Let go of Li Dan!" Huo Yu''s voice rang out, filled with fury. Chen Quan followed their gaze and saw two figures standing atop the massive corpse of the beast. A boy and a girl, casually watching them with amused expressions. The boy wore earrings and held Li Dan by the collar with one hand, lifting him effortlessly as though he were nothing more than a ragdoll. The girl, petite and with a teardrop-shaped mole under her left cheek, looked at them with a mocking smile. "Little brother, don''t be so angry," the girl cooed playfully. "As long as you promise that all the Qi-accumulating fruits in the valley belong to us, we''ll let him go." Her voice was light and teasing, but the words struck like a blow. As she spoke, she covered her chest with one hand and looked at Jiang Qiuran with exaggerated, playful mockery. "Little sister, don''t look at me like that, I''ll be scared~" The sarcasm and the exaggerated postures made everyone''s blood boil. The air grew tense as anger surged through the group. Jiang Qiuran''s hand tightened around the hilt of her knife, the blade flashing with a deadly gleam. "Why should we give it to you?" she demanded coldly. "We found this valley and fought hard to kill the beast. Why should we hand it over to you?" Her words struck a chord with the others. Ling Fei and Huo Yu lifted their heads, their faces flushed with anger. They all stood together, united by their fury and their sense of injustice. ... The tension in the air was palpable. The group was cornered, but their determination was unwavering. Despite the overwhelming odds, they were not going to back down. --- This version maintains the clarity and flow of the story, adjusts the grammar, and includes the requested name changes. The content has been expanded slightly to improve readability and to fit the target word count. Ch31- Who Are You? However, the next moment, two fierce auras erupted simultaneously, instantly suppressing the momentum of the group. "Top-level warriors! Two of them!" Chen Quan, standing not far away, felt his mouth go dry. In addition to the second-level warrior at the mouth of the valley, the other side had two more companions. Each of them had the strength to overpower their entire group, let alone the three of them working together. The situation was now completely hopeless. The petite girl covered her mouth with a laugh and said, "The wilderness is a place where the weak are preyed upon by the strong. Is this enough?" She walked slowly down the beast''s carcass and approached Jiang Qiuran, her pretty face wearing a playful smile. "If you have the strength, you can try robbing us." As she spoke, she twirled a strand of hair around her finger and continued, "By the way, our vice president is here too. He''s a real second-level warrior." Her voice was crisp and pleasant, but Jiang Qiuran and the others immediately understood the strong threat beneath the surface. "A second-level warrior?" Everyone was stunned by the revelation. They had barely managed to kill a beast that had just entered the second level, so facing a second-level warrior was a completely different matter. A powerful warrior with wisdom was on a different level entirely compared to a beast driven only by brute force. Jiang Qiuran stared at the smug girl in front of her, her eyes dimming as the reality of the situation settled in. Her grip on the hilt of her knife loosened. A second-level warrior and two peak-level first-level warriors¡ªno matter how much they resisted, it would be futile. "Give it to me," came the hoarse, tired voice of Huo Yu. Ling Fei, standing beside him, was too disheartened to look up and murmured sadly, "I worked so hard, but it was all for nothing..." Seeing that her words had hit their mark, the petite girl glanced at the young man with earrings beside her and frowned. "Why hasn''t Guan Yun arrived yet? He left before us..." As she spoke, she seemed to think of something and turned her gaze to Chen Quan at the back of the group, asking with a forced smile, "Little brother, I saw you running from outside the valley. Did you meet anyone else?" Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. In an instant, all eyes were on Chen Quan. Jiang Qiuran''s voice was quiet as she whispered, "Where is Yogan?" Chen Quan swallowed nervously, glancing at Jiang Qiuran and replying with a bitter tone, "Just now, a second-level warrior showed up outside the valley, and Brother Yogan fought him..." The moment those words left his mouth, everyone was stunned. Even the petite girl''s face showed a hint of surprise. These high school students were really bold! Facing a second-level warrior, they chose to fight it out? But then, as if she had realized something, a flash of worry crossed her face. A second-level warrior shouldn''t waste so much time on a high school student. "Do you want me to go check?" the young man with earrings asked, unease creeping into his voice. He looked toward the valley entrance, his mind clearly racing. "Unless he encountered an evil warrior in the wilderness, Guan Yun should be fine," the petite girl said, shaking her head. "Forget it, let''s take the spoils first, and we can talk about the rest later." "Okay." The young man with earrings trusted his teammates, turning around to start collecting the Qi Accumulation Fruits. Jiang Qiuran and the others could only lower their heads and watch helplessly as their hard-earned fruits were snatched away. "Forget it. We''re no match for them. Let''s leave," Ling Fei muttered through gritted teeth, slowly regaining his composure. He was about to lead the group away when¡ª The petite girl suddenly tensed, her gaze shifting toward the dark night with caution. Her hands were clasped behind her back, no longer as carefree as before. Time passed, and as the moments dragged on, she grew more anxious. No one had arrived from outside the valley. Looking back at Jiang Qiuran and the others, she revealed her true fierceness. "Don''t move," she snapped. "If you do, I can''t guarantee that your lives will remain in the wilderness." Just as she finished speaking, a faint sound of footsteps echoed in the distance. "Da... Da..." Finally... A figure slowly emerged from the night. Jiang Qiuran and the others instinctively tensed. The oppressive aura of a second-level warrior was enough to make anyone''s heart race. The petite girl''s clenched fists loosened as a smile crept across her face. She stepped forward, her tone light and relaxed. "Hey, why are you so late?" she called out, her voice casual, as if nothing was amiss. But the reply that came was unexpected. "He ran very fast, and I chased him for a long time before catching up..." It seemed like a simple explanation, but something about it felt off. The petite girl froze for a moment, her steps halting abruptly. "What are you talking about? You''re not Guan Yun?" she asked, her voice sharp with suspicion. "Who is Guan Yun?" the figure replied, sounding genuinely confused. The words felt like a chilling whisper to the petite girl. Her face went pale, and her smile vanished, replaced by a look of horror as if she had seen a ghost. The young man with earrings, who had been picking the fruits nearby, froze as well, his body going tense as he turned to face the figure emerging from the night. A young man slowly walked out of the dark forest, his appearance clean and his face handsome. There was a faint rustling sound with each of his footsteps, as if he was dragging something heavy behind him. "Who... who are you?" the petite girl stammered, her voice faltering. "Where is Guan Yun?" Her lips sealed tightly as she realized she had made a grave mistake. Then, with wide eyes, she saw what was dragging behind the young man. A body. A body covered in blood and torn clothes was tossed casually onto the ground in front of them. The moonlight illuminated the face of the young man who had been thrown down, and the petite girl immediately recognized him. It was Guan Yun, the vice president of the sophomore martial arts club at Songjiang University. He was supposed to be a strong second-level warrior, but now he lay unconscious, barely clinging to life. "You...?!" The petite girl gasped, her voice barely a whisper. She covered her mouth, but the scream she tried to suppress echoed through the valley. Instinctively, she took a step back, her body screaming to flee from the danger that was now before her. But the next moment, fear overtook her. Her legs moved, but she couldn''t escape. A bony hand had settled on her delicate shoulder. It was light, almost casual, but the pressure it exerted was enough to freeze her in place. Looking up, the petite girl met the gaze of the young man standing before her. His face was calm, his eyes deep and piercing. "You... what do you want?" she stammered, her heart racing. Under the quiet gaze of the boy opposite her, the blood in her veins seemed to freeze. A bone-chilling fear crept down her spine, and for the first time, she felt the full weight of danger bearing down on her. Ch32- Incomparably Powerful A bone-chilling fear surged up from the depths of her spine, traveling all the way to the top of her head. "Yogan... is that you?" Chen Quan, whose shield had shattered moments ago, stared in disbelief at the valley entrance, his voice barely a whisper. He couldn''t comprehend what was happening. Just a short while ago, the situation had seemed hopeless, with them at the mercy of a second-level warrior. But now, the very same warrior seemed to have been dragged in like a helpless animal. Jiang Qiuran stood motionless, her expression blank as her eyes locked onto the slender figure. Her lips were bitten in disbelief, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. The young man lying on the ground was indeed a second-level warrior, a true powerhouse. That meant... Yogan had defeated him in such a short time! It was almost beyond comprehension. The others stood in stunned silence, still trying to make sense of the events unfolding before them. Ling Fei and Huo Yu, their eyes dazed, were still grappling with the shock of the moment. Only the young man with earrings seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. His expression shifted, and he began to formulate a plan to negotiate, but before he could act, Yogan did not give him a chance. Without warning, Yogan''s sharp fist shot forward. The wind of his strike seemed almost like black crystal as it sliced through the air, landing directly in the petite girl''s abdomen. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized what was happening. Her body froze, and for a brief moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion. But then, instinct kicked in. As a first-class warrior, she attempted to flee, but found herself unable to move even a single finger. There was no time to think, only to feel the overwhelming, terrifying power of the combat body. Yogan''s fist connected with her lower abdomen with a speed that was impossible to follow with the naked eye. Bang! Her pupils dilated in shock, and her face twisted in agony. A spray of blood burst from her mouth, and her body was sent flying through the air, crashing into the depths of the valley like a ragdoll. With a final crash, she collided violently with the rock wall behind the waterfall. Yogan had only used 50% of his strength for that punch. After all, the petite girl wasn''t an evil warrior, and Yogan wasn''t interested in killing her outright. He didn''t want to make more trouble than necessary. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "You...?" The young man with earrings stood frozen in place, his mind racing. The image of his companion flying through the air was still fresh in his mind, and for a moment, everything around him seemed to fade into a strange blankness. The entire scene was engulfed in an eerie silence. Even the rumble of the waterfall cascading down seemed like distant background noise. The young man with earrings swallowed hard, his throat dry. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The figure before him wasn''t just some high school student¡ªit was something far more terrifying. He was facing an incredibly powerful and ruthless individual, someone capable of wiping out anyone who stood in his way. No one dared to speak, each person aware of the danger they were in. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a soft cough broke the silence. The petite girl emerged from the water, her clothes soaked, her face pale, and her body trembling. Her eyes were vacant, and she held her stomach with both hands, blood dripping from the corners of her mouth. Her entire body shook as she struggled to stay upright. Under the cold, unblinking gaze of Yogan, she collapsed onto the ground, sobbing quietly. Yogan slowly approached her, crouching down beside her. He reached out and gently touched her wet hair, his voice calm and devoid of emotion. "Whose life do you want to leave in the wilderness?" The girl trembled violently at the sound of his voice. She buried her face in her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. She had never felt so helpless in her life. "I''m a sophomore at Songjiang University... You can''t kill me," she pleaded between sobs. Her voice was barely a whisper as she continued, her words coming out in broken fragments. "You can''t kill me. If you do, Songjiang University will investigate. They''ll come after you." She thought that by appealing to their sense of lawfulness, she might find a way out of the situation. After all, she had seen how Yogan and the others acted like high school students¡ªlaw-abiding and restrained. But Yogan''s response was chilling. "This is the wilderness." His voice was low and emotionless, as if dismissing all her attempts at negotiation. The words hung in the air, and the girl felt a shiver run down her spine. There was no mercy in Yogan''s eyes¡ªonly cold, unwavering resolve. "I was wrong... I was wrong..." The girl finally cracked under the pressure, her voice breaking as she sobbed. She had felt the killing intent from Yogan. She had truly believed he was going to leave her to die in the wilderness. "I''m sorry... I won''t do it again..." Yogan didn''t say anything at first. Instead, he pointed toward Jiang Qiuran, his voice calm but firm. "Go and apologize to her." The petite girl felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had somehow survived the ordeal, but it wasn''t over yet. Trembling, she forced herself to stand and staggered over to Jiang Qiuran, who was still in shock. "I''m sorry... I''m sorry..." she muttered repeatedly, her voice barely audible. She didn''t dare stop until she saw Yogan nod his approval. Once she had apologized, Yogan glanced at the young man with earrings, his gaze cold and unyielding. "Put down the things and take them away." Yogan''s words were simple, but they carried an undeniable authority. The young man with earrings immediately relaxed, a visible tension leaving his body. He quickly set the Qi Accumulation Fruits aside and nodded to Yogan, thanking him with a deep bow. After receiving Yogan''s nod of approval, the young man grabbed the petite girl, who was still shaking, and carried his unconscious companion. Without another word, they hurriedly exited the valley. Once they were gone, everyone''s gaze turned to Yogan. Shock and awe filled their eyes. They had witnessed something extraordinary¡ªa battle that was almost impossible to comprehend. In front of an opponent who seemed nearly invincible, Yogan had resolved the situation with a single strike. He had completely shattered the psychological defenses of the arrogant girl with just a few words. Powerful. Incomparably powerful. Everyone could feel the weight of his strength. He was not someone to be trifled with, not someone they could hope to stand against. The moment of silence stretched on, as everyone realized the magnitude of what they had just witnessed. Ch33 -The Sense of Disparity of Genius Powerful! Incomparably powerful! Ling Fei and Huo Yu exchanged a glance, and both couldn''t help but smile bitterly. They had been the top martial arts students in their respective cities for years, admired and praised by their peers. As they entered the wilderness trial, they carried their pride and expectations, ready to showcase their skills. But now, all their confidence and pride were shattered by the figure standing before them. The appearance of Yogan made them realize the true meaning of a genius monster. Back in their schools, they were hailed as geniuses, but stepping out into the world, they had finally understood: their talents were just the entry point to a world where real geniuses existed. Beside Huo Yu, the pale Li Dan lowered his head in shame, as if he were questioning his entire life. Jiang Qiuran, still in a daze, took a long time to process what had just happened. She finally stepped forward, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Your strength...?" It was already extraordinary enough that Yogan had defeated the peak-level Qingyou Wolf. But now, in a mere span of one day and one night, Yogan had effortlessly taken down a second-grade warrior. This was far beyond her comprehension. "A long time to make a breakthrough." Yogan replied with a smile, offering no further explanation. Jiang Qiuran nodded, still processing the scene in front of her. The words echoed in her mind: "A long time to make a breakthrough." Yogan wasn''t just a genius¡ªhe was something else entirely. A real super genius. Suddenly, an idea struck her. The Qianlong Training Camp. She had always heard of it, the top event in Daxia, where the most elite warriors gathered. It was no wonder she hadn''t been qualified to participate in the previous year''s trials. Yogan''s display of power, just a glimpse of his true abilities, made her feel as though she was worlds apart from him. She felt a sense of despair creeping in. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "..." "Brother Yogan, Sister Jiang seems to be a little off. She looks... lost," Chen Quan said with a smile, pointing toward Jiang Qiuran, who was sitting on a boulder, her head buried in her knees. His expression grew more serious as he spoke softly. Yogan glanced over, frowning slightly. "The more talented someone is, the prouder they are. She realized she wasn''t as talented as me, and now she''s feeling discouraged. It''s okay." Though Yogan''s voice was soft, his words reached Jiang Qiuran''s ears. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes flashing with irritation as she shot a glare at Yogan. Without a word, she placed the long sword back into its scabbard and, with a slight shift, turned her back on Yogan and the others. "Brother Yogan, I just wanted you to comfort Sister Jiang, why are you so direct?" Chen Quan muttered in frustration. "You have more experience than me. You go and comfort her," Yogan replied seriously, as if it were the most natural thing to say. "What do you mean?" Chen Quan pondered the meaning behind Yogan''s words for a moment, then, with a dark expression, walked off toward Jiang Qiuran. ... Yogan sat cross-legged at the mouth of the valley, silent, not participating in the subsequent distribution of spoils. His mind was focused on his training. The Cellular Respiration Method was running smoothly, and his body began to absorb the energy from the surrounding environment. He needed to gather as much energy from the real world as possible before entering the game world again. While practicing, Yogan replayed the events of the battle in his mind. After fighting the second-grade warrior, Yogan had realized something: The opponent was weak. Really weak. It was almost laughable. By activating the alienated combat body and relying on sheer physical strength and suppression, Yogan had easily overwhelmed the second-grade warrior, leaving no chance for a counterattack. The difference in power was so vast that it felt like an adult fighting a child. The alienated energy in the 360 light points compressed in his body had barely been touched, and yet his opponent had already fled, beaten and humiliated. This huge gap in strength made Yogan feel as though the second-grade warriors of the real world weren''t nearly as formidable as he had once believed. Perhaps he hadn''t yet encountered a truly powerful genius. "You can try your hand with the old class later," he thought to himself. As he pondered this, he heard footsteps approaching. Jiang Qiuran and Chen Quan walked up, both with faint smiles on their faces, clearly having overcome the earlier awkwardness. "Brother Yogan, do you really have the strength of the second rank?" Chen Quan asked excitedly, his voice filled with awe. Yogan nodded, then added with a hint of mischief, "I borrowed a martial art from the martial arts library at school. I had a new understanding during the battle, and my strength barely reached the second rank." Jiang Qiuran''s face grew serious when she heard this. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as she pondered his words. After a moment, she asked: "What is the name of that martial art? I want to see it." Her Ice Slash was one of the top martial arts at the first rank, but even though it was powerful, it didn''t provide the same overwhelming increase in strength that Yogan''s abilities seemed to grant. "Uh... Palm Seal," Yogan said softly, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Palm Seal?" Jiang Qiuran''s mind raced as she tried to recall which famous martial art in the school this could be. After a few moments, she frowned in realization. Palm Seal was just an ordinary first-rank martial art, and its power didn''t even come close to her Ice Slash. She looked at Yogan with a mixture of disbelief and resignation. Her lips parted, but she didn''t know what to say. She was struck by the contrast between Yogan''s understated words and the terrifying martial arts talent he was hiding. It was beyond anything she could imagine. Yogan had made it seem like his power was nothing special, but the reality was far more terrifying than anyone could have guessed. He had downplayed his abilities, and in doing so, had concealed a level of genius that left everyone around him in awe.